Manhunt after girl, 14, grabbed by stranger who tried to pull her off path in Cumbernauld

A hunt has been launched for a man who grabbed a schoolgirl and tried to pull her off a path in Cumbernauld.

The 14-year-old was on a path next to North Road, close to St Maurice’s Pond, around 4pm on Wednesday, when she was approached by the man.

He proceeded to grab her wrist and tried to pull her away.

The teenager managed to get away and told her parents, who reported the incident.

An extensive investigation is under way, and police are urging anyone who may have seen anything suspicious to come forward.

The man is described as white, around 50 years old, around 5ft 10in tall with short grey hair, shaved with a flick at the front.

He was wearing a black rain jacket and spoke in a Scottish accent, and may have had a lisp.

Chief inspector Gareth Brown said: “This was a terrifying ordeal for the girl involved and I want to reassure the local community we are doing all we can to trace the man responsible.

“There will be increased patrols in the area, and anyone with concerns can approach these officers.

“We are asking anyone who was in the area around that time and saw a man fitting the description to please getin touch. Anyone with dash cam footage should check to see if they captured anything that could be useful in our investigation.”

“Information can be passed on by calling 101, quoting reference 2297 of October 29, 2025.”