Tooled-up thief attacks student

The 20-year-old victim said she felt "very lucky" not to have been stabbed with the makeshift weapon during the robbery in Montague Street.

Ms Hastings, a second-year maths student at the University of Edinburgh, chased after the hooded thief after she made off with the bag and headed towards nearby St Leonards Police Station.

But she decided to give up her pursuit after realising she could be attacked again following the incident at around 5:50pm on Sunday.

Police believe the attacker may have struck before after linking her to an attempted robbery in East Preston Street in Newington last month when another 20-year-old woman was held up.

Ms Hastings said: "I was looking for keys in my handbag. I was listening to my iPod so I couldn't hear this woman behind me.

"She grabbed my bag and pulled it and I tried to get it back. We struggled over the bag and I could see something metal in her hand. It definitely wasn't a knife but I think it was a screwdriver. She seemed like she was under the influence of something, drink or drugs.

"I was screaming really loudly for help and making a lot of noise, but she ran off with my bag and I chased her to the end of Montague Street. It was something I did in the heat of the moment because I was angry and wanted my bag back. Then I realised what might happen if I caught her and stopped."

The suspect is described as white, 5ft, 30 years old with a medium build and dark hair. She was wearing a grey hooded top and dark tracksuit bottoms.

Ms Hastings' blue leather bag contained her phone, purse, bank cards and around 60 in cash.

She added: "The whole thing was over in about 30 seconds but it was terrifying. I was really upset and I'm still shaken up over it, but I suppose it was also very lucky that I wasn't hurt.

"The police told me they believed she might have robbed someone else a few weeks ago."

A earlier incident was reported to police on 12 January following an attempted robbery on a young woman by a female suspect in East Preston Street.

Police are now appealing for anyone with information to come forward. A spokesman said: "Both of these incidents involved a female suspect presenting a weapon to rob a female victim of her belongings and as such, we are looking into the possibility that they may be linked.

"Anyone who was in the Montague Street area around the time of the incident yesterday, or in East Preston Street around 10:20pm on Tuesday, 12 January and witnessed anything suspicious should contact police.

"Similarly, anyone who recognises the description of the suspect should also come forward."

Contact police on 0131-311 3131, or Crimestoppers in confidence and anonymity on 0800 555 111.