A toddler was with his father when a would-be robber struck on a popular Fife walkway.
The thief tried to snatch the dad’s mobile phone as he pushed his young child in his buggy in Glenrothes.
However, he sustained facial injuries when his victim fought back and he ran off empty-handed.
The attempted robbery on Friday afternoon was branded shocking as Police Scotland hunted for the culprit.
It occurred around 2.45pm in Glenrothes’ Boblingen Way, a path well-used by families, dog walkers and cyclists, as the victim walked towards the Ivanhoe Drive junction on Templehall Road.
Glenrothes West councillor Altany Craik said: “It is really disappointing and shocking that this sort of thing has happened in broad daylight on a path we promote for exercise.
“Boblingen Way is a well-known walk in Glenrothes, people use it with prams, to walk dogs, they cycle along it.
“For this to have happened with a young child present is unbelievable.
“I just hope someone has seen something and the attacker gets more than he has bargained for.”
An appeal has been issued for witnesses, including a dog walker seen in the area just before the incident.
Detective Constable Kieran Marsh said: “This was a shocking incident against a father and his young child in a fairly secluded part of Glenrothes.
“This particular path is commonly used by dog walkers and cyclists.
“I would ask anyone who was in the area and who saw the suspect either before or after this incident to please get in touch with police on the 101 number or, alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
The suspect ran off towards the Tanshall area.
He is described as white, in his 40s with an unkempt appearance.
He was wearing a dark beanie hat, black shell suit-style jacket with a white logo and dark trousers.
The walker on Boblingen Way police want to speak to is believed to have had a small, gold-coloured dog wearing a red jacket.
It is thought the person may have seen the suspect just before he struck.