Mounted police on patrol after sex attack on schoolgirl

Mounted police have gone on patrol following a sex attack on a schoolgirl.

Officers from the special branch have been called in as part of efforts to boost public reassurance in Ayr, South Ayrshire.

Police are currently investigating a report of a sexual assault on a 14-year-old girl in the town’s Castlehill Woods.

The incident happened between 5pm and 6.30pm on Saturday, February 6.

The teen was with friends, but when she walked off to another area of the woods she was approached by a man and attacked.

The suspect – who was slim with short red hair and a “prominent nose” – is believed to be in his late teens to early 20s and around 5ft 9in.

He was wearing a blue jacket, white trousers and black leather gloves.

On Thursday, constables Weir and Gormley along with police horses Logie and Cathcart carried out reassurance patrols in the Castlehill area.

Chief inspector Brian Anderson said: “Officers from our mounted branch are seen regularly in South Ayrshire to augment patrols carried out by local officers.

“Following community concerns after the incident at Castlehill Woods last weekend additional patrols from force resources, including our force reserve unit and mounted branch, are in place and these will continue over the coming days.

“Members of the public should take the opportunity to engage with officers on patrol if they have any concerns about recent events in the local area.”