Police Scotland has issued a statement following media and online reports regarding the assault of a young child in the Sighthill area of the city.

Chief Inspector Scott Richardson said: “We can confirm that we are aware of online and press reports regarding a man wearing a face covering and blue surgical gloves, who was acting suspiciously in the Calder Road area between 5pm and 7pm on Tuesday, 1 September.

“Officers are carrying out extensive enquiries after this man assaulted an 11-year-old girl, who was walking with her friend in the Calder Road area during this time. Thankfully, the girl only sustained minor injuries, but both girls were left shaken as a result.

“Contrary to press speculation, this has been the only report of the man acting violently. Enquiries are ongoing to trace him and there will be increased police patrols in the area as a result.

“I would urge anyone with any information, or who has seen this man in the past few days, to contact police on 101, quoting incident 2917 of 1 September.”

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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.