Police in Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses following an incident where an elderly man and woman were robbed in their own home in the Haymarket area of the Capital.
The incident happened around 6.45pm yesterday (Sunday, November 17), at an address in McLaren Terrace.
The victims, a man and woman in their 80s, were within the address when they answered a knock at the door from a man in a balaclava, who claimed to be there to check the gas supply.
At this point a group of five men, including the man who knocked on the door, burst into the property and held the pair in a bedroom while they searched the house. They eventually made off with a three-figure sum of cash.
While the victims were not physically harmed, the woman was taken to hospital suffering from shock.
The main suspect, who made the initial call at the door, is described as 6ft tall, dark skinned, in his 30s, with an Edinburgh accent and wearing dark jacket and trousers. There is no detailed description of the remaining four suspects, other than they were all 6ft tall and wearing dark clothing.
Detective Sergeant John Graham, from Police Scotland, said: “While both victims weren’t physically harmed, this was still a terrifying ordeal for them to be subjected to, particularly given their age, and the lady had to receive hospital treatment for the effects of shock.
“We have launched an investigation in order to trace those responsible, and we are appealing for any information that can assist our inquiries.
“Anyone who was in the area of McLaren Terrace around 6.45pm yesterday, who saw a group of men acting suspiciously there, should contact police.
“Likewise, anyone else who has any information that they think can help our inquiries should also get in touch.”
Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101, or make an anonymous report through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
