Fife police said they are investigating a sex assault on a St Andrews University female student which was said to have occurred near her accommodation.
The attack took place in the grounds of University Hall in Kennedy Gardens around 2.30am on Sunday, when the victim was walking back to her flat having attended a nearby university event.
The female was not injured as a result of the alleged attack but was visibly upset.
Detective Sergeant Alan Stewart said, “We are looking for witnesses who may have seen a male hanging around in the area of the halls of residence in Kennedy Gardens prior to the attack.
“Although the incident happened about 2.30am in the morning there was a large number of people attending an event nearby and other students would have been making their way back to their residences.
“After the incident the male responsible would appear to have run out of the driveway leading to the Wardlaw Hall and on to Kennedy Gardens. Fortunately the victim wasn’t injured but was shaken and visibly upset as a result.”
He added, “This type of incident is very unusual for St Andrews and I would urge anyone who has any information whatsoever regarding this incident to contact us.
“Although we will be conducting inquiries at the halls of residence there will be male students who will have been in the area unaccompanied at that time, I would ask them to make this known to us in order that they can be eliminated at an early stage.”
He appealed for anyone with information to contact police on 0845 600 5702 or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.