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Girl, 15, raped by masked man who led her from bus stop

BBC A street with buses and cars on the road, a wide stone slab pavement, and railings and an area in shadown below steps to the left.BBC
The 15-year-old girl was raped in a basement storage area in York Place

A 15-year-old girl has been raped by a masked man who led her from a bus stop in Edinburgh city centre in the early hours of the morning.

The girl was approached on Princes Street, outside Marks and Spencer, at about 05:00 on Sunday.

The man, wearing a black hoodie and balaclava, took her on foot to York Place where he attacked her in a basement storage area.

Police Scotland said it was a "frightening incident" for the girl and specialist officers were supporting her and her family.

Det Insp Mhairi Cooper said the attack happened in daylight in a busy commercial area and urged any witnesses to come forward.

"CCTV from the New Town area is being gathered and checked," she said.

"I would ask anyone with private systems to check these and submit anything of relevance to us as soon as possible."

Google Princes Street in Edinburgh - crowds of people walk along the pavements while buses pick up passengers from bus stops.Google
The man led the girl away from a bus stop on Edinburgh's Princes Street

Police said the attacker is described as a white man with blonde stubble who spoke with a Scottish accent.

He was wearing a black hoodie with a zip, khaki trousers and Nike trainers, and the black balaclava.

Police inquiries have established the man led the girl onto South St David Street, around St Andrew Square, onto Queen Street, then to York Place.

After the attack, he left towards Dublin Street.

Police Scotland said door-to-door inquiries were continuing.

Local residents and businesses have been urged to check storage areas or lock ups and to report any suspicious items or behaviours.