Two elderly Fifers have been robbed in terrifying incidents.
Police are “keeping an open mind” and are treating both as separate incidents at this time.
In one a man was assaulted and robbed in his Kirkcaldy home.
In the second a woman in Crossford was approached by a knife wielding thug who forced her back into her home before stealing several items.
The first happened around 5.40pm on Friday May 4 in the Kirkcaldy area when a 74-year-old man was approached outside his house on Nicol Street.
Once inside the property the man was assaulted and items were stolen.
The suspect is described as between 30 and 40 years old, around 5ft 8in tall and wearing light clothing.
He may have a Mediterranean appearance but spoke with a local accent.
Police investigations have established that the victim had fallen on Kirkcaldy High Street near to its junction with Nicol Street shortly before this incident.
Several people, including the suspect, were seen helping him to his feet.
DCI John Anderson said: “Thankfully the man wasn’t injured during this incident, however, we are obviously keen to identify the person responsible as soon as possible.
“If anyone recognises this description or was in the area of Nicol Street at that time and thinks they saw the victim or the suspect then they should contact us as soon as possible.
“We are particularly keen to speak with any person who helped the elderly man or who saw him in the area of Nicol Street at around 4.30pm on Friday afternoon.”
The robbery in the west Fife village of Crossford happened shortly after 11pm on Friday May 4 when the a 76-year-old woman was approached by a man with a knife outside her home on Lundin Road.
He forced her back into her home and then stole a number of personal items.
The suspect is described as around 5ft 8in, of medium build and with a strong foreign accent.
Mr Anderson added: “Thankfully the woman was not injured during this incident, but clearly this was very distressing for her.
“We would be keen to hear from anyone who saw persons acting suspiciously or any vehicles in the area of Lundin Road last night or in the days leading up to this incident.
“Whilst both these crimes were committed on the same day, we are not connecting these incidents at this time but are keeping an open mind.
“Police Scotland is committed to identifying both suspects as quickly as possible and members of the public may notice an increased police presence in both the Nicol Street area of Kirkcaldy and Crossford as we make every effort to bring the culprits to justice.”
Anyone with information on these robberies is asked to contact Police Scotland by calling 101 quoting incident number 3312 of the 4th May (Kirkcaldy) or 0099 of the 5th May (Crossford).
