Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman was assaulted and robbed, and a man assaulted, in the Bellevue area of Edinburgh on Friday morning.
The incident happened around 6.40am in Mansfield Place, Edinburgh near to Drummond High School. The 27-year-old, who had been walking to the St Andrews Street bus station, was approached from behind by a male.
The victim was grabbed round the neck and punched to the face before the male made off with her bag, which contained a small amount of cash and personal items.
A member of the public who was jogging by at the time intervened and was also assaulted. The culprit then ran off in the direction of Bellevue Place.
Police are now appealing for anyone who was in the area and saw anything suspicious to come forward. The suspect is described as being white, around 5ft 8ins tall, early twenties, thin nose, slight to medium build, with short blonde curly hair. He was wearing a shiny black Adidas tracksuit top and dark bottoms.
A police spokesperson said: “We are appealing for any witnesses to the incident especially as the suspect had been seen loitering near the roundabout at East London Street just prior to the incident.
“We are also aware that a bus may have stopped and rendered assistance to the victim.
“This was a totally unprovoked and violent attack on a young female simply walking to her work and there was no necessity for the level of violence used.’
