An online food delivery firm has condemned two men who carried out a “totally unacceptable” attack on a courier in Aberdeen.
The 28-year-old had been delivering a meal at Hutcheon Street when he was assaulted near the L&M grocery shop on Monday night.
The men “demanded he hand over money” before launching the attack, which left the cyclist in need of hospital treatment for facial injuries.
Traces of blood were still visible on the pavement yesterday as the man’s employer, Deliveroo, urged anyone with information to contact the police.
A spokeswoman said: “We have contacted the rider to offer our full support.
“Attacks on our riders are totally unacceptable.
“They work hard to bring customers meals and should be able to do so without being assaulted or harassed.
“We will work closely with the police and would urge anyone with information relating to this incident to come forward to help identify those responsible.”
A worker at the nearby L&J Hair Design said: “There’s a trail of blood outside my door, and I have had people coming in to ask what had happened.
“Somebody said it looked as if there had been a murder.”
An employee at the L&M store added: “A lot of people have been coming into the shop to ask what happened.
“I’m sorry to hear it was an assault, and hope the person is OK.”
Officers cordoned off an area at the junction with Fraser Road shortly before 6pm on Monday, with investigators wearing protective gloves and masks bagging evidence lying in the street.
Among the items officers could be seen lifting into a van were a push bike and fluorescent green Deliveroo backpack.
A police spokesman said: “Two suspects approached a man and demanded he hand over money.
“The victim was assaulted and taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for treatment.”
Detective Constable Kelly Green said: “We are using all resources at our disposal to identify and trace those responsible as quickly as possible.
“I would ask anyone who witnessed the incident, or who was in the vicinity of Hutcheon Street on Monday evening and who noticed any suspicious behaviour, to contact police immediately.”
Anyone with information should call 101 and quote incident number 2977 of 16th September. Anyone who would prefer to remain anonymous can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.