An Edinburgh student says he was left feeling 'terrorised by a gang of yobs on bikes - who threw a drink in his face and went on to harass others in the park.
The alleged incidents took place on May 3, just before midnight in The Meadows.
The 26-year-old was walking through the popular park when a group of youths wearing balaclavas starting circling him before chucking a fizzy drink in his face.
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The gang reportedly hit a woman who was walking past with her partner after and were intimidating other passersby.
The 6ft man fears if they had targeted someone else the outcome could have been very different and believes they may not have taken the incident further because of his size.
Following the incident, a woman reported she had been hit by the same group and later reported it to police.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live a local student who was left shaken said: "I was walking on North Meadows walk yesterday at around midnight.
"I heard electric motor bikes coming in an aggressive manner from behind.
"I have seen them before around doing tricks, riding aggressively and I heard they were aggressive to people.
"So, when I turned around to see, one of them splashed orange juice into my face. I stopped for a minute, because it went into my eyes and nose.
"Than I seen them stop as well, so I took my phone to take the video to report them later."
When the student stopped the situation escalated and the teens would not leave him alone.
He continued: "One of the guy started to get closer to me. I kept taking the video, and tried to have the guy in front of me because I thought He might take my phone out from my hand.
"He was telling me to not take the video. But then the rest of the gang started to get closer as well. I stopped the video because with many of them on bikes they could get behind and take my phone.
"They also looked like they want to fight. Then as I saw a couple coming by. I suddenly shout on them to call the police etc.
"I think the gang got a bit surprised because until that time I didn't speak.
"But we joined forces with the couple and started to walk out of Meadows towards the city and more light.
"They didn't follow and we tried to warn people passing by."
The couple were also allegedly attacked by the gang.
The 26-year-old said: "The couple then told me that the gang hit them from behind. I was not hit but many people replied on my post that they had similar experience with this gang.
"Some of them said they were splashed into face with a drink, or they were hit behind and other aggressive behaviour like trowing eggs or stones."
He continued: "The girl from the couple phoned the police after we got out of meadows.
"But I wanted to share it online so if people see them, they get together. Especially ladies.
"I'm a 6.2ft 90kg guy. I think that's why the guy who got closer first was reluctant to further attack me or something, which you can see on the video,
"He went on sideways to take his balaclava on. But for others who are more vulnerable they might do other things."
Sergeant Barry Mercer of Edinburgh Policing said: “Officers were called to reports of motorbike riders causing a disturbance on Melville Drive at around 11.50pm on Tuesday, 3 May, 2022.
“Enquiries are ongoing and we would encourage anyone who has information or footage of the incident to contact the police.
“We are committed to tackling anti-social behaviour and will continue to monitor the area.”
