Livi mugger targets teenage girls

Two teenage girls were the victims of attempted robberies in Livingston on the same night.

A 14- year- old girl was the first victim when a man approached her at around 6.30pm on Friday and pushed her to the ground as she was walking along Knightsridge West Road, passing Sutherland Way towards Gordon Way.

He tried to search the girl’s pockets but was disturbed by a passing motorist in a red car and ran off.

At 9pm that evening police reports of a second incident where a 16-yearold girl was targeted on Loan Path in Ladywell.

The teenager was walking past Harrysmuir Primary School when a man approached her from behind and tried to steal her handbag.

There was a struggle but the man was disturbed by a dog walker before making off empty-handed towards the footbridge over the A899.

The suspect for both incidents is described as white, around five feet seven tall and wearing a grey hooded top, white t-shirt, black trousers and white trainers.

Detective Constable Ross Hamill said: “While neither victim was injured, both were left extremely upset and we are eager to trace the male we believe is responsible for both incidents.

“We would like to speak to the motorist who intervened in Knightsridge, as well as the dog walker who scared the suspect off in Ladywell.”

Anyone with information can contact Livingston CID via 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.