An 18-year-old woman was raped after being dragged into a lane as she made her way to work in Barrhead.
The woman had been standing at a bus shelter near the Alpino chip shop in Cross Arthurlie Street at about 8.20am on Sunday when a man approached her and started talking to her.
She walked away but the man followed her before dragging her into a lane and raping her.
The man then forced the woman to walk around several streets before she managed to break free and run for help at a taxi office.
Police officers took her to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley, where she received treatment and was later released.
Her attacker was last seen heading west in Chappell Street.
He was described as a white man in his 30s, about 5ft 10ins tall, with short grey hair. He was wearing light-coloured clothing and possibly blue jeans.
Detective Chief Inspector Iain Cunningham said police were particularly keen to speak to a taxi driver who was sitting in a private hire car parked in Robertson Street. The taxi was possibly blue.
Police believe the woman tried to attract the driver’s attention and he may have noticed her with her attacker before she escaped.
Officers also want to speak to the driver of a dark Volkswagen Polo which was parked in Chappell Street.
They are also seeking a man who was with a young boy and was leaning into the car talking to the driver at about the time the woman broke free.
Det Ch Insp Cunningham said: “This was a particularly brutal and harrowing attack on an innocent young woman who was heading for work.
“I am anxious to speak to anyone who saw the victim or has any information whatsoever that could help us trace this man, to contact the CID at Barrhead Police Office.
“He forced her to walk round a few streets after the attack and although the streets would have been relatively quiet at this time, someone, perhaps looking out of their windows, may have noticed them.”
Anyone with information was asked to contact Barrhead Police Office on 0141 532 6263 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Social media preview: An 18-year-old woman was raped after being dragged into a lane while making her way to work in Barrhead.