Police launch search for man after 12-year-old attacked near river

Officers are searching for a 30-year-old man following the incident at the River Esk, Midlothian, on Tuesday evening.

Search launched for man after 12-year-old boy left ‘shaken’ after assault near River Esk, Dalkieth — Police are searching for a 30-year-old man in connection with the assault. © Google Maps 2024

27th Apr 2023

Police have launched a search for a 30-year-old man after a 12-year-old was assaulted near a river in Midlothian.

Emergency services were called to the River Esk, opposite the Old Mill House, at around 6pm on Tuesday after a 12-year-old boy was attacked.

The child did not require medical treatment, but was left “extremely shaken”.

Officers have launched a search for a 30-year-old man in connection with the incident.

He is described as white, 5ft 10in tall and of stocky build, and was wearing a grey Adidas jumper, blue jeans and had a baseball cap on backwards.

During the time of the incident, he was in the company of a woman and two children.

Constable Michael Argyle, Dalkeith Police Station, said: “This incident has left the victim extremely shaken and it’s important we trace the person responsible.

“I’m appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time and saw what happened to contact us. I’m particularly keen to speak to a couple who stopped to help the boy at the time.

“Similarly, anyone who has dash cam footage or private CCTV of the area around 6pm on Tuesday, please review it and bring anything of significance to our attention.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting reference 2993 of April 25, 2023.