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Sikh boy's hair cut by attackers Sikh boy's hair cut by attackers
(about 2 hours later)
A 15-year-old Sikh boy had his hair cut during an unprovoked and racist assault in an Edinburgh park, police said.A 15-year-old Sikh boy had his hair cut during an unprovoked and racist assault in an Edinburgh park, police said.
The incident happened at about 1930 GMT in Pilrig Park on Tuesday.The incident happened at about 1930 GMT in Pilrig Park on Tuesday.
Lothian and Borders Police said the victim was initially subjected to verbal racial abuse by four young white males and then knocked to the ground. Lothian and Borders Police said the victim was subjected to verbal racial abuse by four young white males and then punched and kicked to the ground.
After he was punched and kicked, the teenager's headwear came off and the youths cut his hair, an act considered deeply offensive to the Sikh community. The boy's headwear came off and the youths cut his hair, an act deeply offensive to Sikhs because of the religious symbolism of the hair.
The gang ran off across the park, exiting into Pilrig Street and heading in the direction of Leith Walk.The gang ran off across the park, exiting into Pilrig Street and heading in the direction of Leith Walk.
A police spokesperson said: "This was an extremely distressing attack on a young member of our community."A police spokesperson said: "This was an extremely distressing attack on a young member of our community."
He said those responsible for the attack were aged about 16.He said those responsible for the attack were aged about 16.
The police have issued descriptions of each of the four suspects:The police have issued descriptions of each of the four suspects:
    • The first was a white male aged about 16, who was 5ft 10in tall. He had brown eyes and was wearing dark Adidas tracksuit bottoms, a dark coloured thick hoodie and a dark coloured beanie hat, possibly Adidas
    • The first was a white male aged about 16, who was 5ft 10in tall. He had brown eyes and was wearing dark Adidas tracksuit bottoms, a dark coloured thick hoodie and a dark coloured beanie hat, possibly Adidas
    • The second was also a white male of about 16 who had a gold hoop ear piercing on his right ear. He was wearing a black Helly Hansen jacket and a dark coloured beanie hat
    • The second was also a white male of about 16 who had a gold hoop ear piercing on his right ear. He was wearing a black Helly Hansen jacket and a dark coloured beanie hat
    • The third suspect was described as a white 16-year-old male who was wearing dark clothing
    • The third suspect was described as a white 16-year-old male who was wearing dark clothing
    • The fourth, a white male aged 16, had blue eyes, a long sharp nose and facial hair. He was wearing a dark coloured Adidas tracksuit and a white beanie hat
    • The fourth, a white male aged 16, had blue eyes, a long sharp nose and facial hair. He was wearing a dark coloured Adidas tracksuit and a white beanie hat
      • Witnesses to the incident have been asked to call Gayfield Square Police Station on 0131 620 5125.Witnesses to the incident have been asked to call Gayfield Square Police Station on 0131 620 5125.