Sexual assault on 21-year-old woman in Arbroath.

Crime: Police say incident ‘extremely distressing’ for victim and appeal for witnesses

Officers are continuing to carry out inquiries into this incident and I would like to reassure the public that we are using all available means to identify the person responsible

A manhunt has been launched in connection with a serious sexual assault in Angus at the weekend.

Police yesterday released the description of a man they are seeking to trace following the attack on a 21-yearold woman in an Arbroath underpass in the early hours of yesterday.

The extent of any injuries sustained by the woman has not been disclosed but police have described the incident as “particularly distressing” for the victim.

It happened close to the town’s Morrisons supermarket and the railway underpass was cordoned off for much of yesterday as inquiries were carried out.

Police said the attack took place between 2.30am and 5am yesterday morning. They issued an appeal for any information from the public, as well as a description of the man they are keen to trace.

He is white, of stocky build, about 5ft 10in or 5ft 11in tall and he was cleanshaven.

At the time of the incident he was wearing a white T-shirt, dark jeans, dark jacket and light trainers.

Detective Inspector Nicola McGovern said: “This is a particularly distressing assault and I am appealing for anyone who may have been in the area of Robert Street and Morrisons supermarket in the early hours of the morning to come forward and assist our inquiries.

“Officers are continuing to carry out inquiries into this incident and I would like to reassure the public that we are using all available means to identify the person responsible.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101.

The railway underpass has been criticised in the past as a “cesspit” of vandalism and litter, which has been used for drug-taking and drinking.

The state of the area previously led to local councillor David Fairweather calling on Network Rail to consider blocking off the path.

Picture: Wallace Ferrier. Police at the scene of the attack yesterday.