Police in Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses following an assault and robbery in Leith. 

The incident happened around 4.35pm on Monday, 8 February, on Hamburgh Place and involved an 82-year-old woman. 

She was hit to the head from behind and her handbag was grabbed by a man, before being pushed to the ground in a struggle and her bag taken.

The man then ran off on foot down Portland Street.  The woman suffered serious injury and was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment to a broken hip, where she remains in a stable condition. 

The suspect is described as being a white man around 16 to 30-years-old and of a slim build. At the time of the incident he was wearing dark clothing and a dark hoodie with the hood up.  

Detective Inspector Kevin Tait of Edinburgh CID: “This was a terrifying attack for the woman involved who has suffered serious injury and remains in hospital for treatment.  

“Officers are reviewing CCTV footage in the area to help trace the person responsible for this and I would urge anyone with private or business systems in the area to please make this available to us.  

“We are also appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident and saw anything which might be helpful to our enquiries to come forward. 

“Similarly, anyone who might have been driving in the area and recording via dash-cam, please let us know if you captured anything which might be relevant to our investigation.”  

Anyone with information should contact police on 101, quoting incident number 2375 of 8 February, or alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.