A WOMAN was pushed to the ground and had her handbag snatched on a Musselburgh street last night (Wednesday).

The incident happened at about 11.20pm when a 59-year-old woman was passing the rear of the Royal Mail sorting office on Millhill Lane.

An unknown man approached the woman from behind, pushed her onto the ground and pulled her handbag from her shoulder.

He then left the scene in an unknown direction.

The woman sustained a minor head injury and was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh as a precaution.

Police were contacted and officers are now appealing for witnesses.

The suspect is described as a white man in his twenties. He is around 5ft 7ins in height and has a slim build. He was wearing a black baseball cap and a light grey bomber jacket.

Detective Inspector Ben Leathes of the Lothians and Scottish Borders’ Criminal Investigation Department said: “This was a violent and unprovoked attacked, which left the victim injured.

“We are eager to trace the man responsible and wish to speak to anyone who was in the Millhill Lane area of Musselburgh on the night of Wednesday, March 20.

“I would ask anyone with information, or who recognises the description of the man, to get in touch with police as soon as possible.”

Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 4601 of March 20, or report this anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.