Fears same callous thief targeted teenage girl and pensioner in Edinburgh

Police say they're keeping an open mind into the possibility the same callous thief targeted a young teenager and pensioner, in separate incidents in Edinburgh.

Published 10th Mar 2016

Police say they're keeping an open mind into the possibility the same callous thief targeted a young teenager and a pensioner, in separate incidents in Edinburgh.

A girl - said to be in her mid teens - was walking alone in the Stenhouse area at around 9.50pm on Monday.

As she made her way along Saughton Road North near to the junction for Broomhouse Drive, a man pushing a black bike crossed the road and walked towards her.

He demanded she hand over her mobile phone - but the girl managed to run away and raised the alarm with her parents.

Details of the incident are only just emerging.

The suspect's described as being in his late 20s or early 30s, around 5 foot 6 in height, having gaunt facial features and wearing a black anorack jacket with the hood up and a scarf over his mouth.

It comes as police hunt for a man of a similar description who assaulted and robbed a woman in her 70s in the west of the city on Tuesday.

As the pensioner approached the junction of Saughton Mains Terrace and Dania Court she was pushed from behing, causing her to stumble and drop her shopping bags.

The suspect then grabbed her handbag, which contained a three figure sum of cash, and ran off.

Detective Sergeant Martin Smith of Corstorphine CID said: "This was a mindless attack against a defenceless woman who fortunately was not injured.

"I ask anyone who was in the area of Saughton Mains Terrace around the time of the incident and who remembers any suspicious behaviour to contact police immediately."