Police are appealing for witnesses after a 17-year-old woman was sexually assaulted on 20 August.
The victim was returning home at around 2am when a man approached her from behind and dragged her into Scotland Street Lane West. He knocked her to the ground, assaulted her and tried to remove part of her clothing. She cried out and members of the public came to her help. The assailant then fled up Scotland Street and escaped.
The suspect is described as white, aged 20–30, about 5' 9" tall and casually dressed.
A police spokesman said: 'Thankfully, the victim was uninjured and was quickly assisted by members of the public following this incident.
'Nevertheless, given the apparent sexual motivation of this assault, we are treating this extremely seriously and are urging anyone who was in Scotland Street or the surrounding areas and saw anything suspicious to come forward immediately.
Contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.
A local source tells Spurtle that around 150 households in the area are being methodically contacted and interviewed, and that an increased police presence has been evident since 28 August.