Mystery after men spotted 'bundling' woman into car

POLICE are still investigating after witnesses claimed to have seen two men "bundling" a woman into a car in a West Lothian town.

• The alleged incident took place on the A71 road, just east of Polbeth

A number of eyewitnesses contacted police after seeing a woman in her late teens or early 20s being forced into a red or maroon-coloured car on the A71 just east of Polbeth, near Livingston, on Thursday evening.

The alleged incident took place between the entrance of West Calder High School and Limefield House at about 7.15pm.

Inquiries are ongoing to establish whether an actual crime has taken place or if it has been a misunderstanding.

Police have revealed no missing persons reports matching the woman's description have been filed.

One local business owner, based a few hundred yards from where the incident took place, said a customer claimed to have seen two "kidnappers" and was one of those to dial 999.

"He said he was on a bus that was overtaking a taxi when he saw two males seemingly bundling a girl into the taxi," he said.

"Police were asking whether he thought it was a father and daughter squabbling and he said it looked more like she was being manhandled."

It is understood taxi firms have been approached by police, but there is no evidence to suggest a taxi was involved at this stage.

Officers investigating the mysterious incident have also asked to see CCTV footage from outside the premises of local businesses in a bid to further their inquiries.

A description of the victim suggests she has long dark hair in a ponytail and was wearing a black top and trousers.

The man police hope to identify is described as being in his 30s, 5ft 6ins to 5ft 10ins tall with dark hair and possibly a goatee beard. He was wearing a blue or pink T-shirt and jeans.

Inspector Roddy Gillies said: "We are currently working to establish exactly what happened, and if this is actually a crime.

"I am appealing for anyone who may have been in the area, and who may have witnessed the incident, to get in touch.

"There may be a perfectly innocent explanation for what happened, so I am appealing directly to the people involved to contact police and let us know everything is all right.

"Right now our priority is the safety of the young woman, all we want is to hear she is safe and nothing untoward has happened."

He added: "The area is popular with dog walkers, so we are keen to hear from anyone who may have been out last night about 7pm and who may have seen something suspicious."