87 year old sees off attacker with her mobility stick
Police are appealing for witnesses after a man wielding a knife attempted to rob an 87-year-old woman on a Silverknowes footpath yesterday afternoon. The incident happened between 4.30 – 4.45pm as the woman was making her way home.
As the woman walked on the public footpath linking Silverknowes Hill with Silverknowes Road a man approached her from behind. He said something, which the woman was unable to understand – but she turned to find he was wielding a knife.
The assailant demanded the woman’s purse but she refused – and then bravely warded off the would-be robber by waving her mobility stick at him. The man left empty-handed aand made off in the direction of Silverknowes Hill before being lost from sight.
The woman made her way home and raised the alarm with the police, who are now appealing for witnesses to the incident.
The suspect is described as white, around 6ft tall, with a thin face. He was wearing a dark hooded top with the hood up.
Detective Inspector John Kavanagh of Police Scotland said: “I am very keen to hear from anyone who has any information which might help with our ongoing investigation.
“Thankfully, the woman was unhurt but it goes without saying that we take a zero tolerance approach towards such despicable crimes.
“The incident was carried out during daylight hours and I would hope that someone may have seen the suspect in the area and can provide us with important information. Likewise, I would ask anyone who was using public transport in Silverknowes around the time of this crime to come forward if they remember seeing the man.
“We are keen to ensure that he is arrested as quickly as possible and those with relevant information can call police on 101 or, alternatively information can be passed anonymously through the registered charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
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