Police have identified several new witnesses as a result of police activity carried out last night and early this morning in Balerno, one week on from the serious sexual assault of a 19-year-old woman in the area’s Newmills Road.
Officers renewed their appeal for information yesterday, carrying out inquiries on buses and stopping cars in the area around the same time as the assault last week – around 12.30 am on Thursday (27th August).
The suspect is described as being around 6 ft tall with long dark hair and an English or educated Edinburgh accent. He was wearing a grey hooded top and dark jeans.
As a result of this activity, several new witnesses have come forward.
Specialist teams of officers will now assess the new information along with the existing forensic evidence. Uniformed officers will continue to provide reassurance to local residents.
Detective Inspector Grant Johnston said; “We would like to thank the public and the media for their assistance in identifying a number of new leads and for the witnesses who have come forward with information.
“We also have a significant piece of evidence to help with our investigation and we will continue to pursue that and all other lines of inquiry until we have identified the suspect.
“We are still asking for anyone who has information to come forward.. Even a minor detail can prove to be absolutely crucial, so I would urge anyone who recognises the description of the suspect or who was in the area at the time and has information to get in touch.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
