Elderly woman assaulted and robbed in Wester Hailes 7 February 2013 Last updated at 13:27 Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses after an elderly woman was assaulted and robbed in Edinburgh. The 81-year-old was walking in Wester Hailes Road towards the Westside Plaza at about 19:00 on Wednesday. She began climbing the stairs of the footbridge when a male youth approached her and grabbed at her handbag and a carrier bag she was holding. The victim fell down some stairs, injuring her arm and shoulder. The suspect then made off with the woman's bags and was pursued by a member of the public before being lost to sight. A man, who was with his young daughter, then helped the victim to her feet. She returned home before contacting police then going to hospital, where she is still receiving treatment. Painful injury Police are now urging anyone who can assist with their inquiries to come forward. The suspect is described as being white, 16 or 17-years-old and was wearing a light coloured two-tone hooded top, light coloured jogging bottoms and trainers. A police spokesman said: "As well as being extremely upset by the theft of her bags, the elderly woman also suffered a painful injury to her arm and shoulder, which required treatment. Anyone who was in the Wester Hailes Road area yesterday evening and remembers seeing anything suspicious is asked to contact police immediately. We are particularly keen to trace the member of the public who helped the victim up after her fall and would ask him to get in touch as soon as possible.