Witness appeal after possible abduction bid

POLICE investigating an incident in which a mother believed her eight-year-old son may have been targeted for abduction have appealed for a potential witness to come forward.

The female suspect, who was a passenger in a four-door yellow car, drove up alongside the child as he waited outside Homebase at Straiton Retail Park at around 3:40pm on Wednesday.

The car slowed down and the woman whispered to the boy, "come here, come over here". The vehicle only drove off when his sister approached.

The boy's mother said afterwards that she feared the woman hoped to snatch her son.

Officers are now keen to trace a young woman who was in the area at the time. She is described as being white, of slim build, in her teens or early 20s, and was wearing black leggings and a navy blue top under a dark cardigan. She was with a man aged 50-60 who had a walking stick.

The suspect is described as being in her 20s-30s, with short dark blonde hair, and was wearing jeans, a white top and a yellow cardigan.

A police spokesperson said: "We are keen to talk to anyone who was in the area, and who might have seen what happened. In particular, we would like to trace the teenager who we know was in the area at the time, to see if she might be able to provide vital information." Call police on 0131-311 3131, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.