Witnesses sought after assaults in Galashiels and Hawick just days apart

The first incident, an early morning assault on a man in Hawick, took place near to the riverside path in Oliver Park at 5.30am on Thursday, January 9.

And the second, the following night, saw a man targeted by two teenage boys at the transport interchange in Galashiels.

Police are investigating both incidents and are appealing for information.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Were you near to the riverside path in Oliver Park around 5.30am on Thursday, January 9?

“A male who was walking along the path has been assaulted by an unknown man who ran off in the direction of Oliver Park, Hawick after the incident.

“The man is described as white, about 20 to 30 years old, 5ft 5 inches in height, short dark hair wearing black jeans and a dark coloured waterproof coat.”

Police have also issued descriptions of the two teenage boys they are trying to trace in connection with the assault on a man at the transport interchange in Galashiels at 11pm on Friday, January 10.

The spokesman added: “A 44-year-old man was assaulted by two unknown males.

“The males are described as white, about 14 to 16 years old around 5ft in height.

“The first man had dark shaven hair and was wearing a black top.

“The second man has short blonde hair and was wearing a pale coloured top.”

Anyone with information on either of these incidents is being asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, or Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555111, quoting incident number 350 of Thursday, January 9, for information on the Hawick assault, and number 4040 of Friday, January 10, regarding the Galashiels interchange incident.

Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers via an online form at: www.crimestoppers-uk.org