Police are investigating a serious sexual assault in the heart of Dunfermline.
The female victim was attacked in the early hours of Sunday near the junction of Moodie Street and Netherton Broad Street.
Police have not confirmed whether she was raped but said she was being provided with specialist support.
A large wooded area at the foot of Moodie Street was cordoned off all day on Sunday and police tape was still in place on Monday.
A police van also remained at the scene.
Despite the large police presence on Sunday, Police Scotland did not confirm the the assault until almost 9am on Monday.
Shocked local people said they were horrified to hear of the incident, which appears to have happened on an area of grass bordering Dunfermline Glen.
One woman, who asked not to be named, said Moodie Street — which leads to Dunfermline’s historic centre from the south — was usually busy with traffic during the day but could become isolated at night.
“We didn’t know what was going on yesterday,” she said.
“There were loads of police and we kept asking.
“Someone said they heard screaming or shouting in the middle of the night but I didn’t hear a thing.”
Other witnesses reported seeing gloved officers on their hands and knees searching through the grass on Sunday.
“We didn’t know what was happening but it was obvious is was something serious,” said a neighbour.
Police said inquiries were still at an early stage but confirmed nobody had been arrested.
In a statement, they said: “Police in Fife are investigating a serious sexual assault which happened in the early hours of Sunday August 6 in the Netherton Broad Street / Moodie Street area of Dunfermline.
“Officers are providing specialist support to the female victim.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident 1074 of Sunday August 6, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
