Police are appealing for witnesses after a man attempted to rob an 87-year-old woman on a footpath in the Silverknowes area between 4:30 – 4:45pm on Wednesday as she made her way home.
As she walked on a public footpath linking Silverknowes Hill with Silverknowes Road an unknown male approached her from behind.
He said something, which the woman could not make out however she turned and noticed he was carrying a knife.
He demanded that she hand over her purse but she refused and then deterred the attacker by waving her mobility stick at him.
The man walked away empty handed heading back towards Silverknowes Hill before being lost from sight.
The woman, thereafter, made her way home and raised the alarm with the police.
An extensive inquiry is now underway in an effort to trace the man and anyone who can help identify him is asked to come forward.
He is described as white, around 6ft tall, has a thin face and wore a dark hooded top with the hood up.
Detective Inspector John Kavanagh of Police Scotland said: “I am very keen to hear from anyone who has any information which might help with our ongoing investigation.
“Thankfully, the woman was unhurt but it goes without saying that we take a zero tolerance approach towards such despicable crimes.
“The incident was carried out during daylight hours and I would hope that someone may have seen the suspect in the area and can provide us with important information. Likewise, I would ask anyone who was using public transport in Silverknowes around the time of this crime to come forward if they remember seeing the man.
“We are keen to ensure that he is arrested as quickly as possible and those with relevant information can call police on 101 or, alternatively information can be passed anonymously through the registered charity 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.
