A young woman was subjected to a terrifying sex attack at a wooded area where another victim was targeted last week.
Cops taped off an area at Meadowside Street, near Clyde Street, in Renfrew, after the 23-year-old woman was assaulted in the early hours of Monday morning.
Investigations are at an “early stage” but officers are carrying out enquiries to establish the full circumstances.
The attack has caused huge concern for women’s safety in the area as the incident comes just a week after a 27-year-old woman was assaulted in the same street.
The first victim was left badly shaken after she was approached by a man on the Clyde Walkway at around 7.45pm last Monday, April 25.
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A concerned resident told Renfrewshire Live: “In recent weeks, females haven’t been safe in their own community.
“Woman and girls are being followed, watched and attacked by creepy men.
“Multiple times I have heard of woman and children reporting that a man has been hiding in bushes and jumping out at them and more often than not, attack them.
“Police need to be doing more to protect women, this level of fear shared by woman just isn’t right.”
SNP candidate for Renfrew South and Gallowhill, Cathy McEwan is “concerned” about the attacks and is urging woman to report any suspicious behaviour.
She said: “I am obviously very concerned about the alarming number of sexual attacks on females in the Renfrewshire area.
“Women and girls should be able to feel safe when they go out in all areas.
“I am sure the police are doing their utmost to find the person responsible, and I would urge all women and girls to be careful and aware when they are out and about, and also to report any suspicious behaviour, that makes them feel uncomfortable right away to the police.”
Outwith Renfrew, a young teenager was sexually assaulted in Linwood.
On Saturday, April 23, a 14-year-old girl was sexually assaulted as she was walking along the cycle path near the A737 overpass at Kintyre Avenue, when she was approached by a man who touched her inappropriately.
The Renfrew resident added: “It’s a huge worry that there’s people out there walking our streets who are a huge risk to woman’s safety.
“Woman should be safe to walk the streets at any time of the day.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Officers are investigating a report of the sexual assault of a 23-year-old woman which occurred on Monday, May 2, near to Clyde Street, Renfrew.
“Enquiries are at an early stage and ongoing to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.”
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