Police in Dundee are hunting a man who carried out a cowardly attack on a Broughty Ferry pensioner at the weekend, sparking outrage from an elderly residents group.
The assault and robbery of the 69-year-old took place as he walked along Camphill Road, near Addison Street at 2am on Saturday.
He was walking home when he was engaged in conversation by the man who then carried out the assault.
The victim fought back but the attacker made off with his mobile phone and wallet.
Police describe the thief as being in his late 20s or early 30s, about 6ft, slim and wearing dark clothing.
At the time the victim was wearing brown shoes, green trousers and a brown jacket. Anyone with any information should call Tayside Police on 0300 111 2222 or speak to any officer.
The incident is the latest in a long line of assaults in Tayside where thieves have targeted older people.
Figures obtained by The Courier through a freedom of information request reveal that, during 2010, 47 people over the age of 65 fell victim to crimes of violence and minor assaults. Most of these attacks were on men, but 21 were carried out on women.
There were also seven incidents where a weapon was either presented or used during these attacks.
Police also confirmed that 28 people were reported to the procurator fiscal on the back of these cases.
Jim McAulay (68), chairman of the Dundee Pensioners Forum, said that he wants this figure to increase.Attack conviction rateHe added that, following several meetings with police, he had been told the number of attacks in the city is in line with other areas in Scotland.
Mr McAulay said, “We were told that if you are between the ages of 16 and 26 you most likely to be involved in an assault.
“But STV told us that only around 32% of cases where elderly people have been attacked were solved with the overall figure sitting at 56%. So it is a concern that attacks on the elderly don’t get solved as often as other crimes.”
“There is definitely much less of a chance of police making a conviction when the victim is elderly.”
Mr McAulay said that this statistic must be improved. He said, “It’s disgraceful whenever anyone gets attacked but it is especially bad when it is an older person.
“If a 16-year-old who is six foot two is involved in a fight he has a better chance than a pensioner.
“It is the first I have heard of this attack in Broughty Ferry but obviously we hope the man gets caught.
“It is a shocking crime. It is terrible that someone can be attacked like this as they walk their way back home. It is awful that something like this happens, especially when it involves the elderly, who are more vulnerable.
“I think when someone who has assaulted an older person is eventually caught by police then they should be given tougher sentences than what is currently handed out.”