Mugger grabs city woman's handbag

The police are appealing for witnesses

A woman has had her handbag stolen after a brief struggle as she walked along a city street at the weekend.

The 36-year-old victim was approached from behind on West Richmond Street in Edinburgh by a man who snatched her bag on Saturday at 2150 BST.

He then ran off in the direction of the Pleasance, and was last seen going into Viewcraig Gardens, on Holyrood Road.

The man is 5ft 10ins, aged between 25 and 28 and is of slim build. He has short, ginger or fair hair.

It is the second theft to happen in the street in the past week, after a 25-year-old woman had her handbag snatched on Wednesday evening.

Police believe the two incidents are linked and are appealing for information to help track down the mugger.

A police spokesman said: "Neither woman was injured as a result of these incidents but they were understandably shaken by their respective ordeals.

"We want anyone who witnessed these incidents, or who has information to help us identify the suspect, to contact us as soon as possible."