Police are appealing for assistance from the public after a substance was sprayed on a schoolgirl outside Asda on Haddington Road Tranent between 3.45pm and 4pm on Friday 8th February.
One of a group of four males, described as being around 16 years old and all wearing hoodies, sprayed a substance on the face and clothing of a 12-year-old girl as she walked with her friend.
The victim was not injured but the substance did cause discolouration to her clothes.
Enquiries so far suggest that the substance may have been antifreeze.
Detective Constable Mandy Cummings of Dalkeith CID said: “There was no interaction between the teenagers and the victim beforehand, so this is believed to have been opportunistic and potentially thought of as a prank by those involved. “However, this behaviour is absolutely unacceptable and this incident is being treated as an assault. Thankfully, the girl was uninjured but this understandably caused concern and upset to her and her family. “Anyone who may have seen the teenagers in the area, or who has any information about this incident, is urged to come forward and report this.”
Those with information can call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 4218 of 8th February, or contact the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
