Pensioner attacks 'may be linked'
Two separate attacks on pensioners in and around the Stirling area could be linked, police have said.
The warning comes after an 88-year-old man was attacked and his walking stick stolen in the Riverside area of the city on Tuesday afternoon.
A few hours later a 70-year-old woman was attacked in Callander when a man attempted to steal her bag.
Police said the attacks were "cowardly" and that one of the pensioners had required hospital treatment."
Det Insp Ronnie Isles of Central Scotland Police said: "These are cowardly crimes which have resulted in one person being hospitalised and another traumatised."
He added: "There were people who assisted the elderly man and we would like to speak to them as a matter of urgency.
"We would also like to find the walking stick which was stolen from the gentlemen.
"It may have been discarded following the robbery and we'd ask anyone who may have found a walking stick or who may have seen a man fitting the description we have issued to contact us."
The 88-year-old man was found by a passer-by in an underpass that leads to Lovers Walk in Riverside at about 1450 BST on Tuesday.
He said he had been approached by a man who tried to rob him, however, during the ensuing scuffle, he was pushed to the ground and injured.
The man responsible was seen running off towards Wallace Street, after grabbing the pensioner's walking stick.
He is described as being aged between 21 and 40, about 6ft tall, with a slim build and short dark hair. He was wearing a blue jumper and dark trousers.
The second attack happened as the 70-year-old woman walked the path on the Callander Meadows at about 1700 BST.
She said she noticed a man walk ahead of her. As she neared him, he turned and tried to grab her handbag.
She said she kept hold of her bag, but the man was still able to steal some money before fleeing in the direction of Kilmahog.
He is described as being about 5ft 10in, with a slim build, and was wearing a black jacket and trousers. His face was covered.