Call for calm after sex attack on girls

POLICE investigating a sex attack on two young girls have urged calm believing it was a "one-off" incident.

The girls, aged 11 and 12, were left "shocked and distressed" after being followed along the street then indecently assaulted by the man in Dalkeith.

Detectives were today examining CCTV footage from the area in a bid to identify the suspect.

Officers have urged parents not to panic, but suggested they speak to their children about personal safety while the manhunt continues.

The attack took place at around 7.50pm on Monday in Eskdaill Street after the man had followed the girls from nearby Buccleuch Street.

Detective Sergeant Keith Mackay, who is leading the inquiry, said: "The girls were approached by the suspect, who tried to engage them in conversation. It's not clear exactly what he said and the girls ignored him and walked on.

"He followed them a short distance and carried out a very unsavoury indecent assault. The girls weren't physically injured, but were shocked and understandably distressed by what happened.

"It's very serious when an assault of this kind happens to anyone, but particularly when it involves children so young."

Police have carried out door-to-door inquiries in the area while a team of officers are reviewing security camera footage from the town centre.

DS Mackay said: "This is the hub of Dalkeith, where a number of buses pass through. There's also a lot of cars about and people going to the large number of pubs. Someone will have seen this man in the area.

"We are appealing for anyone who saw what happened, or who noticed the suspect in the area, to contact police.

"The suspect was wearing a distinctive red jacket and also had what seems to have been a relatively fresh graze on the right side of his face."

He added: "It's important that people are not left scared by this incident. It seems as if it was a one-off opportunist crime."

The suspect is described as white, around 40 years old, 5ft 10in tall, average build, with light coloured/white hair, and stubble. He wore a red waterproof jacket, which was black at the shoulders, dark jogging bottoms and dark shoes.