Woman assaulted and robbed by two men on Gilmerton Road

A woman was assaulted and robbed on Gilmerton Road on Monday after being followed by two men.

At around 7:30 on Monday evening, two men followed the victim and her friend from the Morrison’s supermarket as they walked south up Gilmerton Road.

One man then cut the strap off the victim’s handbag and pushed her to the ground before running off with the bag.

The suspects were then chased into Ferniehill Road by a couple who were standing with a buggy outside the pharmacy on the corner of Ferniehill Road and Gilmerton Road.

The couple managed to retrieve the victim’s bag before the suspects made off into Ferniehill Road.

The first suspect is described as white, of slim build, wearing a light coloured zipped top with a stripe on the sleeve, black jeans and was carrying a black rucksack.

The second male is described as white, of slim build, with blond hair, wearing a bright blue puffa jacket, beige trousers, was pulling a large suitcase and carrying a holdall.

Detective Constable Sheila Silvagni of Gayfield Police Station said: “This was an understandably distressing experience for the victim it was fortunate that no one was injured as a result.

“Gilmerton Road was busy with traffic and other pedestrians at the time of the incident and I would ask anyone who saw the pair matching the above description, and has information about them, to please come forward.

“I would ask that the couple who assisted the victim and chased the suspects to come forward as soon as possible to help with our investigations.”

Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3140 of 3 October, or report this anonymously to Crimestoppers