French national assaulted and robbed in New Town

Police are appealing for witnesses following the assault and robbery of a 24 year old man in Edinburgh’s New Town

The victim, a French national, had arrived in Edinburgh from France on Saturday evening and was walking from the City Centre to the New Town to find accommodation for his stay.

At around 8pm, as he approached the corner of Broughton Market and Dublin Street, he was grabbed from behind by two suspects who presented a knife and demanded he hand over money. They took his laptop, mobile phone and wallet and made off in the direction of Broughton Market.

The first suspect is described as white, late 30s, 5ft 9in tall, broad build, dark brown hair, clean-shaven, Scottish accent and wearing a zipped up hooded top.

The second suspect is described as white, late 30s, 5ft 9in tall, slim build, slight beard, and wearing a black cap or woolly hat, blue jeans and a black cotton coat with two diagonally angled pockets at the lower front of the jacket.

Detective Constable Iain Wallace said: “The victim had only just arrived in the city when he was assaulted and robbed, although thankfully he wasn’t injured. We are appealing for anyone who was in the area of Broughton Market or Dublin Street at around 8pm on Saturday evening to get in touch with police. We know that a car drove past at the time of the incident as it caused the two males to run off.”

Anyone with information that can assist is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.