Hunt for female attacker who robbed woman in stairwell

POLICE are hunting a woman who assaulted and robbed her female victim in a common stair while brandishing a screwdriver.

The 20-year-old victim was held up at around 5.50pm yesterday in Montague Street in St Leonards.

Officers believe the attacker may have struck before after linking her to an attempted robbery in Newington last month.

The victim in the latest incident had just entered a common stair when a thief approached her from behind and grabbed at her handbag.

A struggle ensued, during which time the victim believes she saw the suspect holding a metallic object, possibly a screwdriver, in her hand.

The woman then let go of her bag and the suspect made off towards St Leonard's Street.

The suspect is described as white, 5ft tall, 30-years-old with a medium build and dark hair. She was wearing a grey hooded top and dark tracksuit bottoms.

A similar incident was reported to police on 12 January following an attempted robbery on a 20-year-old woman by a female suspect in East Preston Street.

Police are now appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

A police spokesman said: "Both of these incidents involved a female suspect presenting a weapon to rob a female victim of her belongings and as such, we are looking into the possibility that they may be linked.

"Anyone who was in the Montague Street area around the time of the incident yesterday, or in East Preston Street around 10.20pm on Tuesday 12 January and witnessed anything suspicious should contact police immediately.

"Similarly, anyone who recognises the description of the suspect and can help us identify and locate her should also come forward."

Anyone with any information can contact police on 0131 311 3131, or Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.