Community 'deeply shocked' after Edinburgh carjacking sees young woman robbed at knifepoint
Police said the broad daylight robbery was a ‘very frightening experience’ for the 22-year-old woman
A carjacking in Edinburgh which left a young woman “deeply shaken” after she was held at knifepoint has sparked outrage and concern across the city.
The 22-year-old woman was sitting in her white Peugeot behind the Scotmid store at Morvenside Close, Wester Hailes, at around 3.20pm on Tuesday when a man approached the car, threatened her with a knife and demanded she handed over her keys.
The woman got out of the car, assisted by a passerby, and the man got into the driver’s seat. Another man, who had been standing nearby, got into the passenger side and the pair drove off.
Edinburgh politicians have condemned the shocking incident, which follows a series of serious knife incidents in the wider Wester Hailes area in recent months.
On March 2, the Calders area was locked down by police following reports of a man allegedly walking the streets carrying two large knives.
The incident left two people injured, with one man having suffered non-life threatening stab wounds and a woman having been left with a head injury.
A 23-year-old man, Mustafa Kokoneh, was charged in connection and is currently awaiting trial in a high-security hospital.
One week later, a group of seven teenagers were charged after a 38-year-old man was allegedly stabbed in Clovenstone Gardens.
In response to Tuesday’s events, Labour councillor for the Pentland Hills ward Stephen Jenkinson said: “This was a deeply shocking incident and my thoughts are with the young woman affected.
“Residents in Wester Hailes are understandably concerned following a number of serious incidents involving knives in recent months.
“We are continuing to work closely with Police Scotland and local partners to support the community and ensure residents’ concerns are being heard.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe in their own community, and tackling violence and antisocial behaviour must remain a priority.”
SNP councillor Neil Gardiner agreed such crimes were a “serious concern” and that the robbery on Tuesday will have been a “massive shock” to the young woman.
He urged anyone who may have information about the incident to contact the police on 101 or through Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Dr Scott Arthur, the Labour MP for Edinburgh South West, said: “It’s terrifying to think how quickly an ordinary moment, parking your car to get shopping, can turn into something so dangerous.
“She’s safe, but deeply shaken. No one in our community should have to fear this kind of violence.
“If you were nearby on Tuesday afternoon and saw anything at all, please get in touch with Police Scotland.”
Police have described the two suspects as white and of “gaunt” appearance. One is estimated to be between 30 and 40 years-old with a scruffy blonde beard.
He was wearing a black tracksuit and baseball cap at the time of the robbery. The second man was wearing a navy tracksuit and a black balaclava.