Man arrested over series of robberies at knifepoint

A MAN has been arrested and charged by police in connection with a string of alleged knifepoint and attempted robberies in the Capital.

In the first two incidents, which both took place at around 6pm on February 25, two women were threatened at knifepoint in separate incidents in East Adam Street and Forrest Road.

At Forrest Road, the 31-year-old victim was robbed of money she had just withdrawn from a cash machine.

Members of the public came to the aid of a woman, aged 40, who was involved in the East Adam Street incident, causing the alleged mugger to run off. Three days later, also in Forrest Road, a 32-year-old woman was assaulted and robbed at knifepoint after withdrawing cash from the same machine as the victim of the first incident.

Then on March 3, in the city’s Niddrie Mains Road, an unsuccessful attempt was made to rob a 56-year-old woman.

Lothian and Borders Police said a 34-year-old man had been arrested as part of Operation Arable, an initiative aimed at tackling street robberies in the city.

He was expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today.