police scotland

Police are appealing for witnesses following an assault and robbery which  happened around 6am today  near the Boswall Place exit on the walkway behind Morrisons that runs from Crewe Road North to Pilton Drive when a 57-year-old man was approached and assaulted by six youths, who subsequently stole his phone.

The Scottish Ambulance Service treated the victim at the scene for minor facial injuries.

The first suspect is described as a white male, around 5ft tall, 14-years-old, with a skinny build. He had short dark hair and was wearing a black tracksuit.

The second and third suspects are described as white males, 15-16 years old, around 5ft 5inches in height with skinny builds. They were dressed all in black and one of them was in possession of a bicycle.

The remaining three suspects are all described as white males, 17-18 years old, around 5ft 9inches tall with skinny builds. All were wearing grey cotton tracksuits.

The group were last seen heading in the direction the Crewe Road.

Detective Constable Chris Harding said: “This was an unprovoked and cowardly attack on a lone man as he went about his daily business and we’re urging anyone with information which can help with our enquiries to come forward.

“In particular, we’re eager to trace two cyclists who were in the area at the time of the incident and who may be able to assist us in identifying the suspects.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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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.