Police in Dumfries distributed rape alarms to two schoolgirls after they complained about having photos taken of them without permission.

The girls told officers they felt unsafe walking through the town center during school hours.

The complaints centered on asylum seekers housed at the Mercure Dumfries Cargenholm House Hotel, which has accommodated migrants since August 2023.

The hotel currently houses 91 asylum seekers awaiting decisions on their applications.

Pattern at School Gates

A Sun reporter witnessed around 15 men congregate outside a school at lunchtime.

When pupils returned to class, the men disappeared, but smaller numbers returned when students were leaving.

A mother whose daughter attends the school told reporters that girls are now too frightened to walk through town during lunch breaks, saying men turn up at break times to "perv on the kids".

Police Investigation

In January, officers investigated two men acting suspiciously in Dumfries but established no criminality.

On February 19, police arrested a 19-year-old man following child protection concerns but released him without charge.

Some girls have stopped going into town entirely, with reports that men have made crude comments to students.

Scottish Conservative MSP Craig Hoy called the reports "deeply alarming" and demanded reassurance that those involved are being properly monitored.

The situation has drawn far-right demonstrations at the hotel, which local residents say has intensified tensions in the area.