Robbery victim forced into car at knifepoint

Published on 31/01/2013 12:44

NEIGHBOURS today told of their shock after a man was threatened at knifepoint before being bundled into a car and subjected to a terrifying ordeal.

The victim, a 45-year-old man who has not been named, was assaulted by three partially masked men as he entered a property in Royston Mains Crescent on Tuesday evening.

The attackers produced a knife and forced the man to empty his pockets before pushing him into the back seat of a black car, which then sped off towards Crewe Road North.

After stopping at a walkway running between the Morrisons supermarket in Ferry Road and Ainslie Park Leisure Centre, the attackers let the man out the car, but after he tried to seek help from passing cyclists they dragged him back in and drove back to Royston Mains Crescent.

Police said the man, who is Chinese, had not been been seriously hurt, but was left “understandably distressed” by the incident.

Residents said officers had been asking for information from those who may have seen the attackers.

One man said police had called round to ask his mother in neighbouring Royston Main Gardens if she had seen anyone running through her main stair to the back garden, which borders with gardens from Royston Mains Crescent.

He added: “She’s quite close with her neighbours, so they were all talking about it, but no-one could help. There’s a lot of strange stuff that happens around here.”

Another local, a woman who asked not to be named, said: “I was at home at the time but I didn’t see anything. Maybe with all the high winds people didn’t hear anything outside.”

All three men are described as white, in their 20s, of average height and with scarves covering their faces.

Detective Sergeant Andy Macmillan said: “Police are carrying out local inquiries to see if anyone remembers seeing anything suspicious in the area, or can help us identify the men responsible.

“We are particularly keen to speak to the cyclists who rode past the man after he exited the car.”

Anyone with information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131-311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.