Hunt for sex attacker who assaulted two women on Princes Street

Police are hunting a man who indecently assaulted two women in the city centre last night.

A 20-year-old woman was waiting at the bus stop at the Mound on Princes Street about 8.15pm when a man approached her and tried to kiss her. She managed to fight him off, and he ran off down Princes Street.

Five minutes later a 26-year-old woman was walking down the Mound towards Princes Street when she was aware of someone walking closely behind her. When she stopped at the bus stop for the number 31, opposite Boots on the westbound carriageway of Princes Street, a man indecently assaulted her before running off.

The bus stop was busy at the time, and police are keen to contact anyone who may have been there. In particular, they would like to speak to two people who spoke to the woman afterwards.

Inquiries are ongoing, but at the moment these incidents are being linked.

The suspect in the first incident is described as being white, 35-45 years, medium build, with long dark hair with a wavy/curly fringe. He was smartly dressed and well spoken, was wearing dark trousers and dark shoes, and was carrying a dark-coloured shoulder bag.

In the second incident the suspect is described as being 26-35 years, was wearing a hood, but also had distinctive long dark hair that was wavy/curly at the front.

Constable Carolyn Cowie said: “Fortunately neither of the women involved were seriously assaulted but it has been a terrible experience for them both. “While we have to keep an open mind regarding our investigations, we are treating these two incidents as being linked at this time.

“We are particularly keen to trace the people who were at the bus stop opposite Boots on Princes Street, and who spoke to the woman who had been assaulted.

“In addition we are looking to trace anyone else who may recognise the description of the man involved, or who may have seen him in the Mound or Princes Street areas last night, to contact us on 0131 311 3131.”