A teenage girl has been raped by a masked man in the city centre of Edinburgh, police have said.
The girl, 15, was approached by the man wearing a black balaclava while standing at a bus stop by Marks and Spencer on Princes Street at around 5am on 25 May, Scotland Police said.
The suspect led the girl to York Place on foot, where he sexually assaulted the girl in a basement storage area before leaving the scene, according to the force.
Police described the suspect as a white man with blond stubble, who was wearing a black zip-up hoodie, khaki green trousers, and Nike trainers.
He allegedly spoke with a Scottish accent.
“This was a frightening incident for the girl and we have specialist officers supporting her and her family,” Detective Inspector Mhairi Cooper from the public protection unit in Edinburgh said.
“Despite the early morning, there was daylight in this busy commercial area,” DI Cooper added as she urged witnesses to come forward.
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Police are checking CCTV from the area and carrying out door-to-door enquiries.
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DI Cooper said she is appealing to local residents and business owners in the city’s New Town area who may have premises off street level “to check any storage areas or lock-ups and report any suspicious items or behaviour to us”.
Those with information are asked to contact Police Scotland via 101 and quote incident number 0136 of 27 May 2025. An anonymous report can be made to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
