Elderly man assaulted in robbery bid

Police are appealing for witnesses after an elderly man was assaulted during an attempted robbery in Edinburgh.

An 89-year-old man boarded a Number Five Lothian Bus on Salisbury Place before alighting on Grange Road.

As he was walking in the area at the junction with Chalmers Crescent, a male approached him from behind and grabbed him by the face.

The incident happened around 10.10am on Saturday 20th October on Grange Road.

The male then tried to rob the victim of his possessions but was unable to find anything of value so made off from the area.

After returning home, the man reported the matter to police who are now urging anyone who can assist with their enquiries to come forward.

The suspect is described as white, between 45 and 55-years-old, around 5ft 10ins tall with a heavy build and grey hair. He was wearing a dark jacket, black baseball cap, blue jeans and dark shoes.

A police spokesman said: “Fortunately the victim was not seriously injured during this incident, nor was he robbed of any of his possessions.

“Nevertheless, being grabbed from behind and searched was an incredibly frightening experience and we are carrying out local enquiries to identify the male responsible.

“We believe the suspect had also been on the bus, having boarded at the same time as the elderly man and would urge other passengers who may have seen him, or who can assist establish his identity to contact police immediately.

“Similarly, anyone who remembers seeing a male acting suspiciously in either Salisbury Road or Grange Road is also asked to get in touch.”

Anyone with information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131.