Witness appeal to city centre assaults

Police in Edinburgh are investigating two incidents where people were assaulted and robbed in the Capital on Monday night.

The two incidents, which may be linked, happened in Montgomery Street and Elm Row respectively.

In the first incident, which happened around 9.45pm, the 27-year-old victim was walking alone in Montgomery Street when he was approached by two men, who robbed him of his mobile phone and MP3 player. The suspects then made off towards Leith Walk.

A short time later, around 10.20pm, a 21-year-old man was followed into the common stair of a block of flats in Elm Row, again by two men. He was then grabbed and forced to the floor, before he was robbed of cash and a bank card.

The suspects in both incidents are similarly described, with the first man described as white, around 6ft tall, with spiky hair, and a scar on his face. He had on a t-shirt and jeans, and had a tattoo on his arm.

The second suspect is described as white, around 5ft 8ins tall, with short dark hair, and wearing jeans.

A police spokesman said: ‘Both incidents happened within relatively close proximity to each other within a short space of time, and it is possible that they may be linked.

‘While neither victim was injured, they were left shaken as a result of what happened, and we are appealing for any information that can help us trace those responsible.

‘Anyone who was in the area of Montgomery Street and Elm Row around the time each incident took place, who either saw what happened or noticed the two suspects there, should contact police.

‘Similarly, anyone who recognises their descriptions, or who has any other information that can assist our inquiries, should also get in touch.’

Anyone with any information should contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity 0800 555 111.