Police are appealing for witnesses after reports of a child being assaulted on Melbourne Road, North Berwick around 9:10am this morning.
About this time a female, thought to be responsible for the child, was seen to slap him to the face and buttocks causing him to cry. She was then seen to pull the child aggressively by the wrist towards the beach while shouting at him.
The female is described as white, mid 20’s, 5ft 4 inches, slim-built with dark brown hair and a well-spoken English accent, wearing a pale blue Paramo jacket with the hood up and stone-coloured trousers.
The child is described as white, 9 or 10-years-old, 4 ft 8 inches to 5ft, slim-built with dark brown short hair. He had a similar accent to the female and was wearing a dark green waterproof jacket and dark trousers.
Sgt John Forrester of Haddington Police Station said: “Due to the nature of this incident, Police have concerns for the welfare of the child and and we are appealing for the public’s help in identifying both the female and child.
“Anyone who may have seen either the female or the child in this area around this time or who may have information as to their identity is asked to get in touch as soon as possible.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously 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.
