Bogus workmen link to hit-and-run

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Three men wanted in connection with the death of a 10-year-old Edinburgh boy in a hit-and-run may have been operating as bogus workmen, police believe.

Jack Anderson, of Saughton Road North, died in hospital after being struck by a car in the street on Thursday.

Police are trying to trace three men who fled after abandoning the green Peugeot car at Saughton Prison.

Officers said the descriptions of the trio matched three men involved in bogus workmen incidents the same day.

They stole a small amount of money after getting into a property in Dalkeith, but were refused entry to other homes in Leith and Portobello.

I want to repeat how shocked everyone has been at this totally senseless death Ch Insp Euan MorrisonLothian and Borders Police

Ch Insp Euan Morrison said: "It is possible that these bogus workmen incidents are connected to the fatal crash.

"They all happened on Thursday and the descriptions of the suspects are similar, as is the green-coloured car they were seen in, which matches the car involved in the fatal crash.

"We would repeat our appeal to the public to contact us with any information about these men, especially where they went after abandoning the car at Saughton Prison car park."

The car is undergoing forensic examination, and door-to-door inquiries are being carried out in the area.

Ch Insp Morrison added: "I want to repeat how shocked everyone has been at this totally senseless death.

"A young boy has lost his life due to the actions of callous individuals."

Floral tributes have been left at the crash scene

Jack, a pupil at Carrick Knowe Primary School, died after being struck by a green-coloured Peugeot 406 GTX V6 car at about 1525 BST.

Police had been pursuing the car through the Corstorphine area of the capital following reports the three men inside had been acting suspiciously, but lost sight of the car.

The force stressed that they then began a systematic search of the area with blue lights turned off and were not in pursuit when Jack was knocked down.

The car struck the 10-year-old on a pelican crossing after overtaking a number of vehicles which had stopped at the red light.

Police are seeking three men seen running away from the abandoned car.

One is white, 20 to 25 years old, of a skinny build and between 5ft 6in and 5ft 8in tall.

Dressed in black

He has short mousey brown/dirty blond hair, slightly prominent ears, drawn-in cheeks, a pale complexion and a slightly pointed nose, and was wearing a beige long-sleeved open-necked collared shirt and plain beige casual trousers.

The second man is white, 25 to 30 years old, about 6ft tall and of a medium build.

He has a "full but not fat" face with a pale complexion and short black brushed-back hair. He was dressed all in black.

The third man is white, 20 to 25 years old, 5ft 6in to 8in tall with a skinny build. He was wearing blue stonewashed jeans and a sky blue top.