Teenage girl assaulted in Main Street attack

A teenager was assaulted on a busy street on Friday night.

The 14-year-old girl is believed to have been attacked by another teen around the same age in Rutherglen.

The incident is the latest case of violence on the town’s Main Street, many of which have involved teenagers.

A number of social media posts suggested a gang was to blame for the incident.

However, the Reformer understands local police believe the trouble did not involve a large group.

Some residents claim there has been several other similar cases recently.

One local told us: “It’s a disgrace what has been going on.

“There are girls going about looking for fights and going after other girls.

“There’s at least three cases recently with them where it looks like they’re wanting to have fights for fun.

“They’re like little animals when they get started. Everyone here has been talking about it.”

Earlier this year the Reformer told how residents in and around the Main Street felt threatened and scared of gangs of teenagers continually starting violence, including, in one case, flinging a ‘house for sale ’board at locals going for a drink in a local Wetherspoons pub.

The continuing trouble has prompted one local shop owner to offer their store as a safe place where anyone feeling in danger can stay until the trouble has cleared.

In a social media post concerned Michael Duffin, who manages the Co-op on Main Street, said:“I’ve seen all these posts about kids on the main street being assaulted.

“As a father of four daughters this worries me. Let your kids know that the Co-op is part of the safe place scheme, so if they feel in danger or unsafe, come into store where staff will be happy to support them in any way, maybe by calling someone to pick them up or giving them a safe place to wait.”

Police enquiries are ongoing into the Friday night assault and a spokesperson confirmed that local officers are following a positive line of enquiry.