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Police officers swarmed on an Elgin street yesterday after a “man on woman assault” took place in the town.
The incident happened on Murray Street, in New Elgin, late on Wednesday night and occurred between a woman in her 30s and a man thought to be in his 40s.
Officers have released a description of the man in question in an effort to track him down.
Police would not go into detail on the nature of the attack, but did not rule out that it was sexual in nature.
A section of the street remained cordoned off for more than 12 hours following the incident, and officers scoured the area for evidence late into yesterday morning.
It is believed the crime took place on the pavement outside a supported accommodation complex, between 9.30pm and 10pm.
Forensic experts examined the scene for hours, taking dozens of photographs and carefully scraping samples of earth into evidence bags for later analysis.
CID officers also canvassed the area looking for clues and speaking to parties they believed could help their investigation.
Police later launched an appeal to track down the individual they believe to be responsible.
Officers say they are eager to to trace a white man, aged in his 40s, who is described as being of a slim build with a round face and a bald or balding head.
He is said to have been wearing a white T-shirt with a dark round pattern on the front, dark tracksuit bottoms and trainers, and was carrying a white carrier bag at the time of the assault.
Detective Inspector Norman Stevenson said: “The woman involved wasn’t injured, but she was shaken by what happened.
“Whilst we are at an early stage of the investigation, I would like to reassure the Elgin community that we are treating this as an isolated incident.
“In particular I would appeal for anyone who knows of or has seen a male matching the description provided to get in touch.”
Yesterday, concerned neighbours gathered near the scene to watch as the police carried out their investigations.
One woman, who lives in a flat on the adjacent Meadow Crescent, said that officers had knocked on her door at midnight to ask if she knew anything about the assault.
Another neighbour said she had been left in a state of fear for her children.
She added: “It’s quite scary thinking that something like this could happen on your own doorstep, my son spends a lot of time playing outdoors so I find this very alarming.”
Residents said that Murray Street fell unusually silent last night, and one woman described an “eerie feeling” in the neighbourhood.
Last night, Elgin City South councillor John Divers said he had spotted the cordon while driving yesterday morning, and that he could understand the anxiety that nearby residents must have suffered.
Anyone who thinks they might have information about the incident should contact the police on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 if they would prefer to remain anonymous.