Police increase patrols after 'terrifying' Bannockburn rape
Police have increased patrols after a schoolgirl was raped in a "terrifying attack" in Bannockburn, near Stirling.
Forth Valley officers will be conducting high-visibility additional patrols in the area after the 13-year-old was assaulted in Ladywell Park on Saturday.
The girl was walking through the park when she was attacked from behind by a man wearing a hooded top.
She was then dragged into a wooded area and sexually assaulted.
Police appealed for information about the attack which happened between 18:30 and 19:00 on Saturday 10 February.
Det Insp Stephen Morris said the girl had only reported the incident to police on Thursday.
He said: "You have to bear in mind this was a 13-year-old girl and the trauma of the attack.
"She eventually had the confidence to speak to her parents who in turn contacted police."
Det Insp Morris said the girl had told them she had been in the park with her friend "socialising" but had separated from her to go to the local shop to buy some juice.
He said she was then attacked from behind and dragged into a wooded area and subjected to a serious sexual assault.
The attacker is described as being skinny and about 5ft 4in tall.
He was wearing black clothing, gloves and a hooded top with the hood up and old-looking, dirty, grey training shoes. He had the bottom of his face covered. He was well-spoken.
Det Insp Morris said the girl had "provided as much information as she can" given the traumatic circumstances.
He said he would like to reassure the public that these types of incidents were "very rare".
"We have increased patrols in the area and would encourage anyone to approach them to give us information," he said.