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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Iona Young

West Lothian mum furious after strangers grab her daughter in middle of funfair

A West Lothian mum has been left 'afraid' to let her daughter out of house after an unnerving incident with stranger.

Sharon Dick was alarmed when her 11-year-old daughter Lacey came home terrified after a stranger allegedly "grabbed" her waist at the Bathgate Gala on Friday night.

The schoolgirl was visiting the funfair in the West Lothian town with friends and excited after coming off a ride, but the experience was soon ruined when a strange woman reportedly grabbed her.

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The 11-year-old frantically ran away from the adult she did not know, fleeing the busy fair ground to try and find a staff member.

Luckily little Lacey ran to the entrance where she found security staff who calmed her down so she could phone her big sister to come and pick her up.

The youngster was in tears over the traumatic incident and came home shaken after what should have been a fun care free day out.

Mum-of-three Sharon was horrified when the sisters returned home in state of shock and phoned the police over the incident.

Speaking to Edinburgh Live she explained: "Lacey was on the ride and when she came off the ride in the show park, a lady with a ponytail bodily lifted her up from behind.

"She put her full hands around her waist and lifted her up, but my daughter managed to get away.

"My daughter ran to security at the front gate where you come into the show park crying for help.

"There was another security guard who followed on and witnessed it, my daughter then called her oldest sister to come to the show park and collect her.

"Security took the phone of my daughter to explain what had happened and police were then called."

The alarmed mum then contacted the police over the concerning incident who investigated and claimed no criminality was established but did offer suitable advice.

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The mum continued: "We had to attend police station on Saturday as we we waited up all night on Friday as they didn't appear, so we attended police station at 13.30pm on Saturday.

"Basically they said they are keeping a close eye on them and that's pretty much it, police said they are always under the influence but they don't think their full intention is to steal kids apparently.

"I feel really disappointed that nothing has been done, I'm scared to let her back out. My daughter Lacey is traumatised."

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “On the evening of Friday, 3 June, 2022, officers were made aware of concerns regarding the behaviour of two women at the Bathgate Gala.

"Enquiries were carried out and no criminality was established. Suitable advice has been provided.”

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