LOTHIAN AND Borders Police have issued an appeal for a taxi driver to come forward following a racially motivated assault in Clerk Street close to the university.

On Saturday 10 September between one and  two in the morning, a 34-year-old Chinese man, who has not been named, was repeatedly forced to the ground and subjected to racial abuse.

A police spokesman has said: “We are continuing with our enquiries into this racially motivated assault and believe the taxi driver may have information that can assist with our investigation.”
The taxi driver picked up the victim from Minto Street after the assault had taken place.

Police are looking for two suspects in connection with the assault. The first is described as a white male with medium-length blond hair, about 17 to 18 years old with a Scottish accent, who was wearing a green top and grey tracksuit bottoms.

The second suspect is a white female, around 17 years old with medium length brown hair, who was wearing pink top and light-coloured jeans at the time of the incident.

The victim lost his expensive Tag Hueur watch during the attack, although this has since been found and returned to the owner.

The street is close to the university and surrounded by extenisve student housing, as well as being the main route from Pollock Halls, one of the main sites of student accomodation run by the university, to the central campus at George Square and Old College.

It is regualrly frequented by students in the evening, and is a hub of pubs and activity, particularly at weekends.
Anyone who holds information they think would be valuable is urged to contact Lothian and Borders police on 0131 311 31 31.