TWO SEX ATTACKS WITHIN 24 HOURS
Hunt for two men as patrols stepped up
Two women have been sexually assaulted in separate attacks just a day apart.
The first woman was attacked in broad daylight on Monday morning at a bus stop in East Calder by a man wearing high-vis clothing.
And the second victim was targeted by a man riding a bike as she walked along Kirk Road in Bathgate in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Police officers investigating the attacks are urging members of the public who have information to come forward as soon as possible and have stepped up patrols.
During the first incident in East Calder, the 33-yearold woman was attacked at around 7.40am on Monday at a bus shelter between Drovers Road and Little Sheil Road.
The suspect is described as white, slim, five feet nine to five feet 10 inches tall, in his thirties, with short dark receding hair, distinctive side burns and dark stubble.
He was wearing a high-vis short-sleeved t-shirt with a dark panel on the back, highvis trousers and trainers. He
was last seen heading in the direction of Main Street, possibly into Almondell and Calderwood Country Park.
PC Nichola McConnell, of Broxburn Police Station, said: “This was a very distressing incident for the woman and we’re urging anyone who may have seen the man in the area, or who recognises his description, to contact us as soon as possible.
“There has been an increase in patrols in the area since this incident was reported and this will continue over the coming days.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0609 of 10 June, or report this anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
In the second attack, a 44- year- old woman was assaulted as she walked south along Kirk Road in Bathgate between 12am and 1am on Tuesday.
This suspect is described as a white man with a slim build. He is in his late twenties to early thirties and may have ginger hair and a ginger beard and was riding a blue or black bike with white markings.
Detective Constable Lee McCall, of Livingston CID, said: “This was a frightening ordeal for the victim, who has been left badly shaken.
“We’re eager to trace this man as soon as possible and I would ask anyone who was in the Kirk Road area around this time and saw anything suspicious to contact us.
“Likewise, anyone who may recognise the description of the man is urged to come forward immediately.”
Anyone with information on this attack should contact Livingston CID via 101, quoting incident number 0146 of July 11, or report this anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.