POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a woman slapped a young boy on the face and on the buttocks on North Berwick's Melbourne Road.

​The incident happened at about 9.10am today.

A woman, thought to be responsible for the child, was seen to slap the boy to the face and buttocks, causing him to cry. 

She then pulled the child aggressively by the wrist towards the beach while shouting at him.

The female is described as white, mid-20s, 5ft 4ins tall, slim with dark brown hair and a well-spoken English accent, wearing a pale blue Paramo jacket with the hood up and wearing stone-coloured trousers.

The child is described as white, nine or 10-years-old, 4ft 8ins to 5ft tall, slim-built with dark brown short hair. 

He had a similar accent to the female and was wearing a dark green waterproof jacket and dark trousers.

Sgt John Forrester, of Haddington Police Station, said: “Due to the nature of this incident, police have concerns for the welfare of the child and and we are appealing for the public’s help in identifying both the female and child.

“Anyone who may have seen either the female or the child in this area around this time or who may have information as to their identity is asked to get in touch as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.