Racist attackers pull open car door and slash driver at wheel

Published on Tuesday 3 March 2009 09:06

AN Asian shop manager was slashed with a weapon and racially abused while he sat in his car – just minutes before a teenage boy was attacked in the same street.

Detectives believe the same teenage attackers were responsible for what they are branding "completely unprovoked" and "shocking" early morning assaults in Viewcraig Street, off Holyrood Road.

Officers are now studying CCTV footage from the area in a bid to identify the suspects while urgently appealing for witnesses.

The 35-year-old Asian victim needed hospital treatment for a wound to his hand after being cut with a blade.

The suspects had pulled open his car door at 3.35am on Saturday morning and hurled racial abuse at him before punching him in the face then slashing him.

Five minutes later, the 19-year-old, who is an IT worker, was set upon as he walked home with a friend after a night out in the city.

He suffered serious facial injuries after being repeatedly punched and was also taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

Detective Sergeant John Bogie, based at Craigmillar Police Station, is leading the inquiry. He said: "These two victims suffered significant injuries within minutes of each other. The investigation is continuing, so we're not 100 per cent sure that they are linked, but it seems likely.

"Both these attacks were completely unprovoked. The victims did not know each other and appear to have been picked out randomly.

"The first victim had just given a friend a lift and dropped them off. He was sitting in his car when these men approached and opened the door. They made reference to the colour of his skin in their abuse and then attacked him.

"It happened very fast and the victim was unable to identify the weapon which was used.

"The second victim had been on a night out and was walking home with a friend. Once again, there was no reason for the attack.

"This area would still have been very busy so we're appealing to anyone who witnessed either of these incidents to come forward."

The attackers, who are both thought to be in their late teens, are believed to have been part of a group of men and women. The first male is white, 6ft with short black hair and wearing a cream jumper. The second male is white with a slim build and blonde hair. He was wearing a green hoodie and dark Adidas bottoms.