White British man arrested over rape linked online to migrants, police say

A white British man has been charged over the rape of a woman in Arbroath following online allegations that there was an attack in the town carried out by migrants.

The 23-year-old man was arrested in connection with an attack on Saturday 6 June and is due to appear at Forfar Sheriff Court at a later date.

Police Scotland said this incident in the Bridge Street area had wrongly been linked to migrants.

A statement from the force said: "We are aware of online posts suggesting this incident involved illegal migrants – this is inaccurate."

It added: "We have not received any reports of further incidents.

"There is no ongoing risk to the public and officers are actively engaging with the local community to provide reassurance."

Rumours have also circulated online about a separate incident in the town last weekend.

Police Scotland said they had no record of any other sexual assault in Arbroath, other than the one on 6 June, but confirmed that there had been an assault.

A spokesperson said: "There was an assault around 18:35 on Sunday 14 June in Keptie Street, Arbroath and a report has been sent to the Youth Justice Assessor.

"There is nothing to suggest any sexual element or that illegal immigrants were involved."