A woman was stabbed in an unprovoked attack in a city park, police have said.
The 33-year-old was approached by a man in Hailes Quarry Park, Edinburgh at around 11.15am on Monday. He spoke with her briefly, chased after her and stabbed her in the shoulder, according to police.
The man then ran off towards a nearby play park while the victim was helped by members of the public. The woman was later taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary with a serious shoulder injury.
The attacker is white, 5ft 5in, clean-shaven with a wide-jawed face, blue eyes and short, messy, light-brown hair, and spoke with a Scottish accent. He was wearing a brown, long-sleeved, zip-up hooded top, dark-blue baggy jeans and dark-coloured shoes.
Detective Inspector Neil Spowart said: “This was an unprovoked attack that left the victim with a serious injury to her shoulder, for which she required hospital treatment. She has been left understandably distressed as a result of what happened, and we are appealing to anyone who has information that can assist our inquiries to come forward.
“Anyone who was in the area of Hailes Quarry Park yesterday morning, who saw the suspect or noticed anyone acting suspiciously in the area is urged to contact police immediately. Similarly, anyone who recognises the description of the suspect, or who has any other information that can assist our inquiries, should also get in touch.
“At present we believe this to be an isolated incident and we have uniformed officers in the area carrying out door-to-door inquiries and engaging with the public in order to provide reassurance.”