A THIEF who assaulted a woman on New Year’s Day made off with her bag – and her novelty wig.
The 22-year-old woman was walking home from Hogmanay celebrations in the capital on Sunday morning when she was assaulted by the New Year’s reveller.
The incident happened at 1am on January 1, when the student was walking opposite theWestern General Hospital in Edinburgh.
A man stopped the woman and said “Happy New Year” before snatching her wig and handbag.
The novelty wig fell off and the thief made off with it and her small silver handbag which contained her keys and mobile phone, which he pulled from her shoulder.
A Lothian and Borders police spokesperson said: “This was a particularly distressing incident for the victim who fortunately was not injured. It was a totally unprovoked attack on an innocent young woman who had been heading home after enjoying a night out. She made her way home before contacting us but was obviously very upset by what had happened.
“This is quite a busy area and there would have been a lot of traffic around that time. We would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed this and especially appeal to taxi drivers who may have been in the area and seen the suspect.”
The thief is described as being a white man in his 20’s, and is around 5ft 8 in.
He has short ginger hair and was wearing a white T-shirt and dark coloured trousers at the time of the attack.
He was last seen heading in the direction of Orchard Brae, north east of the city centre.
Anyone who has information about the attack should contact Lothina and Borders police on 0131 311 3131 or the charity Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800555111.
