Police in Edinburgh are looking to trace a man who assaulted and robbed a woman as she walked on popular cycle path in broad daylight.

At around 2:30pm on Tuesday, June 21st, a 22-year-old woman sustained facial injuries on a secluded cycle path between Craigleith and Davidson’s Mains.

The woman had stopped walking to let the cyclist past after she became aware of him approaching from behind. However, when the suspect got close enough he suddenly struck her in the face causing her to fall to the ground. The attacker then grabbed her purse, which contained a three-figure sum of money and personal effects before fleeing the scene on his/her bike heading north towards Ferry Road.

Detectives from the Violence Reduction Unit at Edinburgh CID are now investigating the matter and are today appealing for information to help trace the suspect.

Detective Sergeant Robbie Wallace who is based at Corstorphine Police Station said: “This was a brazen attack that left the young woman with painful injuries.

“She was, understandably, left shaken by this incident and we are determined to trace this man as quickly as possible.

“The cycle path is normally well used by members of the public, cyclists, dog walkers, etc and I would urge anyone who remembers any suspicious activity to come forward immediately.

“At this stage in our inquiry we cannot rule out the possibility of more than one suspect, so I again ask people to think hard and get in touch if they remember one or more males heading northwards along the cycle path towards Drylaw.”

Those with information should contact police on 101 or alternatively the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.