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He suffered injuries to his arms, torso and face. He was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment before later being released.

Detective Sergeant Mark Lumsden from Edinburgh’s Violence Reduction Unit said: “This incident is now being treated as an attempted murder and I would ask anyone who can assist with our inquiries to come forward.”

Police believe the man pictured can help with their investigation and are urging anyone who recognises him to come forward.

The attack is being treated as an attempted murder.

He is described as white, between 5ft 7ins and 5ft 10ins tall with a slim build, light-brown hair and a clean-shaven face.

He was wearing a dark hooded top, dark trousers or jeans, dark Nike trainers with a white sole and white Nike emblem.

“We’re eager to trace the man pictured as we believe he could have important information relevant to the investigation.

“I’d ask him, or anyone who recognises him, to come forward as soon as possible.”

Princes Street was closed to traffic on Saturday morning after the victim was attacked. Police swooped on the thoroughfare after the alarm was raised at 3.50am.

Shoppers out on Saturday were confronted by a police cordon while some reported seeing blood on the pavement.

A number of businesses were closed while police inquiries took place. Tram and bus routes were also disrupted for part of the day.

The pavement was sealed off on Saturday morning from the Sports Direct store to Mountain Warehouse.

Worried locals took to social media to share images from the scene.

Those with information can contact the Edinburgh Violence Reduction Unit via 101 and quote incident number 753 of September 1.

Alternatively, an anonymous report can be made to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Join our Facebook group Our Edinburgh to share images and news from and around the Capital

Images released after attempted murder on Princes Street