An 18-year-old woman has been raped in Edinburgh city centre in what police described as a “horrendous” attack.
The teenager was attacked outside a Primark store on Princes Street at about 04:00 on Saturday.
The attacker headed west along Princes Street. It is thought he then got into a taxi and was dropped off in the Oxgangs Road North area at about 05:00.
He was white, aged 18-25, of slim build and had strawberry blond/ginger hair, short at the sides and longer on top.
He was wearing a white, short-sleeved, polo top with three buttons and a dark logo on the left breast. It had a dark stain around the stomach. He was also wearing blue skinny jeans and trainers and spoke with a local accent.
He was also described as having pronounced stubble.
Police believe he may have been with a group of other men and a woman before the attack.
Det Ch Insp Alwyn Bell, of Police Scotland, said: “This was a horrendous sexual assault, which has left the young victim traumatised and we are currently providing her with all the necessary support she requires.
“We have been conducting extensive CCTV inquiries as well as forensic investigation at the scene but I would ask anyone who can help us trace the suspect contacts police immediately.
“In addition, anyone who remembers seeing anything suspicious in or around Princes Street around 4am on Saturday morning should also get in touch.”
