Police probing claims 10-year-old was followed by man who tried to pull skirt down
Police are investigating claims a schoolgirl was followed by a man who tried to pull her skirt down.
A probe has been launched in East Kilbride over allegations a ginger-haired male dressed in black tailed the 10-year-old before touching her.
Officers say he is 5ft 4ins tall and that he is believed to be 16 to 18 years old, amid claims he tailed the youngster last week.
He was wearing black trainers, trousers, a hooded top and carrying a black backpack at the time.
Police Scotland has appealed to the public for information on the incident, which took place in the South Lanarkshire town's Baird Hill last Monday, October 5, 2026.
The force said that someone with "curly, medium-length fair/auburn hair, with sideburns of a similar colour" was "acting suspiciously".
One local said: "He wasn't 'acting suspiciously'. He followed a 10-year-old girl and tried to pull her skirt down.
"The wee girl went running to a house in a state and banged on the door. She is friends with a girl who lives in that house and that's why she went there, because she felt safe there.
"The guy followed her from the Murray Square traffic lights to near the Murray Primary School - that's nearly a mile.
"It looks like he was waiting for her to be in a vulnerable position.
"That's far more than acting suspiciously, it's calculated and dangerous and was towards a child."
Another local said: "The guy traumatised a 10-year-old child by pulling her skirt.
"People have been asked to check doorbell cameras and dash cams for someone acting suspiciously.
"But they would be much more likely to look over their footage, and have a better idea of what they're looking for, if they knew exactly what it was they were supposed to be seeing."
An appeal over the incident was posted on the Police Scotland Lanarkshire Facebook page on Tuesday, more than a week after the incident.
It said: "Officers in East Kilbride are appealing for information following a report of a man acting suspiciously in the Baird Hill area around 4.10pm on Monday, 5 October, 2026.
"The male is described as white, aged between 16-18, approximately 5ft 4ins. He has curly, medium-length fair/auburn hair, with sideburns of a similar colour.
"The male is described as wearing black trainers, trousers, hooded top and carrying a black backpack.
"We are appealing to members of the public who may have been in the area around the time and may have seen something to get in touch.
"We would also ask those in the area to check private-CCTV or dash-cams as they may have caught footage which could assist our investigation.
"Anyone with information should call 101, quoting incident number 2449 of 5 October, 2026."
When asked for an update today, Thursday, October 15, 2026, a spokesperson told Scotlight that enquiries are ongoing.
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