An elderly woman was heard screaming as a thief wrestled with her handbag during a mugging attack in Dundee.
Police swarmed to the area shortly after the terrifying incident, which happened on Sunday afternoon at Charleston Drive.
The 86-year-old woman was walking along the road, near the junction with Etive Gardens, at around 4pm when a man grabbed her handbag and carrier bag.
But the thug did not manage to steal any of the items and the plucky woman escaped uninjured.
A manhunt is now underway to find the culprit, with local residents describing a large police presence including officers doing door-to-door enquiries.
A woman living on Etive Gardens, who did not want to be named for fear of retribution, said: “I was at home on Sunday afternoon when I heard a scream.
“It was a scream of fear, rather than just someone shouting.
“I couldn’t see much out of the window as the trees were blocking my view, but the police arrived shortly afterwards.
“They were going around all the neighbours and I saw two police cars driving around.
“It’s a terrible incident – I don’t know anything about this one specifically, but with other similar incidents there have been drugs involved.
“This street isn’t to bad, but the next one down is terrible for drug takers and dealers.”
Lesley Robertson, who lives across the road from where the attempted mugging happened, said that she saw a police van with flashing blue lights in the area.
Meanwhile a male resident on Leith Walk said he’d heard of a similar incident a few weeks ago.
He said: “Dundee is becoming terrible for thefts and muggings.
“About six weeks ago a woman was at the shops on Charleston Drive and a man walked past and stole her handbag.
“Its shocking to hear about it happening again.”
The man from Sunday’s incident is described as being between 20 and 30 years old, about six feet two inches tall, of slim build and was wearing black trousers, and a dark coloured hooded top, which was covering his head.
A police spokesman said: “Police Scotland is appealing for information after a man grabbed and attempted to steal a handbag and carrier bag from an 86-year-old woman as she was walking on Charleston Drive on Sunday at 4pm.
“The woman escaped uninjured during the incident which happened at the junction with Etive Gardens .
“Anyone who saw or heard suspicious activity or knows who this man is, should contact Police Scotland on 101. Alternatively information can be provided anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
