Woman injured in iron bar assault

Police are appealing for information after the Asian woman was assaulted

Police have been hunting for a man who attacked a woman with an iron bar in Edinburgh.

The 43-year-old Asian woman was walking along Hailesland Grove just after 0900 GMT on Monday when a man wearing a balaclava leapt out of a car.

She was knocked to the ground after being hit several times on the leg.

The attacker fled in a silver/gold saloon, possibly a Toyota, which had two other occupants. All of the men were believed to be Asian.

Police have been looking into possible connections with the west of Scotland.

At the time of the assault there was a queue of people at a nearby bus stop boarding a bus.

To attack a woman in this way is totally unacceptable and the attacker needs to be traced as a soon as possible Lothian and Borders Police Spokeswoman

Officers said the passengers may have witnessed the incident and seen those involved.

The victim was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where her leg injuries were treated.

A Lothian and Borders Police spokeswoman said the victim was in a stable condition but had been very badly shaken by the incident.

The spokeswoman said: "This type of assault is very unusual taking place in broad daylight in a busy street.

"We are looking into the possibility that the victim may have been deliberately targeted.

"The attack was brutal and terrifying and we need to trace the culprit and those in the car he made off in.

"We would urge anyone with information to contact police. To attack a woman in this way is totally unacceptable and the attacker needs to be traced as a soon as possible."