A teenage girl was raped in a wooded area near Bothwell Castle on Wednesday evening. 

The incident took place between 5.45pm and 7.30pm. 

Additional police patrols are in place in the area and officers are appealing for information as they hunt the suspect. 

The girl was in a well-visited location near the Clyde Walkway in South Lanarkshire with friends. 

Having broken away from her friends, she was approached by a man in his twenties who reportedly seriously sexually assaulted her. 

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Detective Inspector David Lamont said: “I am appealing to members of the public who may have been in the area around the relevant time on Wednesday night to think back and consider if they saw this man."

The man is described as white, in his 20s, with a slim build and a shaved head. 

At the time, he was wearing a red t-shirt and blue shorts. 

He was riding a black mountain bike with green neon writing on the frame and tyres. It is also fitted with mudguards to the front and rear wheels.

DI Larmont said: "The bike was fairly distinctive in colour so you may remember seeing it.

"If you have any information regarding the incident, the suspect or the bike, please pass your information on.

"Any small detail could prove vital as we piece together the circumstances of what has happened."

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He continued: “I’m aware that local people will be concerned by this incident and I would like to assure them that additional patrols are in the area to offer reassurance and anyone with concerns can approach these officers.”

Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at Blantyre Police Station via 101, quoting incident number 1806 of 21 May, 2020.

Alternatively, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where you can provide information anonymously.

If you are in need of confidential support or information, you can contact Rape Crisis Scotland via email at support@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk​ or by calling 08088 01 03 02.