Detectives in Edinburgh are appealing to the public for information following a disturbing incident in which three Ukrainian youths were assaulted on Sunday, September 3, 2023. The incident occurred at approximately 20.30 BST when the victims, two 13-year-old males and one 15-year-old male, were on their way to a bus stop on Niddrie Mains Road.
During their walk, the three youths were confronted by a group of eight individuals dressed in dark clothing. Two members of this group initiated the assault, targeting one of the 13-year-olds, who sustained a laceration to his ear as a result of the attack. The remaining members of the group then launched separate attacks on the other two youths: the 15-year-old was punched, while the other 13-year-old was stabbed.
Following the assault, the assailants, all dressed in dark clothing, quickly fled the scene. The injured youths were subsequently transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. The incident was reported to the police on Monday, September 4, 2023.
Authorities are treating this incident as racially aggravated, reflecting the distressing nature of the attack on these young Ukrainian individuals.
Detective Inspector Keith Fairbairn, who is overseeing the investigation, appealed to potential witnesses, saying, “I know there were members of the public in the area at the time of the attack, and I am asking them to contact us with any information they may have. We are appealing for details on the group of youths, who were dressed in dark clothing. Perhaps you saw them elsewhere, or maybe you witnessed them fleeing the scene. Any small piece of information could assist us in identifying those responsible for these attacks.”
Relevant CCTV footage from the area is currently under review in the hopes of gathering additional information regarding the group of youths involved.
Anyone who possesses information pertinent to this incident is urged to contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 2523. For those who wish to provide information anonymously, Crimestoppers can be reached at 0800 555111.
