Police are hunting a knifeman who attempted to rob an Inverness coal merchants.
The man, dressed in black, appeared at about 8am yesterday brandishing a knife at Fergusson Coal’s Needlefield yard on Longman Road – right opposite the city’s Burnett Road police station.
No-one was hurt and he fled with nothing.
Police hope CCTV footage will help identify him.
A spokeswoman for the force said: “Around 8am this morning a man is reported to have attended at the coal yard and engaged with a member of staff before presenting a weapon.
“He then left the scene on foot in an unknown direction.
“No items were taken and the member of staff wasn’t injured.”
The would-be thief is about 6ft tall and of average build. He wore a black jacket and black beanie hat.
He had facial stubble.
Officers also carried out door-to-door inquiries in the surrounding streets in the hope of contacting anyone wh may have seen him in the area during yesterday’s morning rush-hour.
Anyone witnesses or anyone who may have information should call the force on 101 or anonymously on the Crimestoppers hotline of 0800 555 111.
The company declined to comment on the incident.
Police have also appealed for information in the wake of a spate of thefts from building sites on the south side of Inverness.
A series of thefts have been reported from the festive period.
Building sites at Slackbuie and Milton of Leys were said to have been targetted between December 23 and January 9.
Police believe raiders tampered with security fencing before removing copper piping, vehicle fuel and other items from the respective sites.
Officers have appealed to anyone who heard or saw any suspicious activity, such as unfamiliar people or vehicles in the area, to phone 101.
“Site staff are reminded to ensure all valuables are stored securely out of site and review current security arrangements including additional lighting and CCTV,” a force spokesman said.
The total value of goods stolen is not yet clear.