The 53-year-old man was putting rubbish in bins beside the convenience store on Coalburn Road, Lanark, when he was approach and slashed with a bladed weapon by a man who then ran off towards Dunns Crescent.

Police say they believe the attack was totally unprovoked but that the person who was attacked was the target of the suspect. 

The man had been hiding in nearby bushes and to the side of the shop for at least two hours before the shopkeeper emerged from the store. 

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The injured man was taken to Wishaw General Hospital where he remains for treatment. Medical staff describe his condition as stable.

The incident took place around 8.50am. 

Now, detectives are hunting for the suspect who is described as a six foot tall male of slim build.

The man was wearing black jogging bottoms, a black North Face hooded top with white writing. a black snood, white trainers and orange gloves.

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Detective Constable Alison Geal, Lanarkshire CID, said: “From our enquiries so far, we believe this attack to be totally unprovoked but that the person who was attacked was the target of the suspect.

“Officers have been checking CCTV from the area and we know that the man had been hiding in nearby bushes and to the side of the shop for at least two hours before the shopkeeper emerged from the store.

“We have a limited description of the suspect’ as the hood of his jacket and snood he was wearing covered almost the whole of his face.

“This was a nasty attack. There appears to have been no attempt by the suspect to enter the store.

“The shop is in the middle of a residential area overlooked by numerous homes. Officers are in the area, but we’d appeal to anyone who may have doorbell footage, or dash cam, to contact police.

“We believe the suspect knows the area. He may be local.

“If you have any information you believe may assist our enquiry, then please call police via 101. Quote incident number 1074 of Sunday, 7 September 2025, when calling.”