POLICE are continuing to scour CCTV footage after a 16-year-old girl was raped following a house party in Linwood.

The victim was subjected to a horrendous ordeal in Atholl Place in the early hours of New Year’s Day.

She had been at a party before heading outside with a friend.

After her pal left, she was approached by two young men and, in the moments that followed, one of them raped her before fleeing the scene on foot.

Police said the incident has left the teenager traumatised and they are urging people to help them snare the sex beast.

Officers have been examining footage from CCTV cameras in the area, as well as carrying out door-to-door enquiries.

Councillor Alison Dowling, who represents Houston, Crosslee and Linwood, described the incident as “appalling.”

She told The Gazette: “Thankfully, such incidents are extremely rare in this area but it’s utterly appalling that any individual – and particularly a girl as young as 16 – was not safe to enjoy Hogmanay.

“We cannot get into a situation where people are scared to walk about at night. Linwood is a safe community and we do not want this incident to spark a response where people are scared to leave the house. We just can’t have that.

“I would urge any locals who know about this incident to do the right thing and call the police.”

One of the men who approached the victim is described as wearing a green/blue hooded top, thought to have a camouflage design, while the other was dressed in a dark jacket and light blue polo top.

Police have said both men had local accents.

Detective Inspector Ian Ross, from the Divisional Rape Investigation Unit in Paisley, said: “Prior to the incident, the victim had been bringing in the New Year at a house party with her friends, all of whom were inside when it happened.

“She has been left traumatised and it is absolutely vital we trace the despicable individual responsible.

“Many residents in Atholl Place will have still been awake, celebrating the start of 2018 at the time of the incident, and I would ask anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious or noticed two young men matching the descriptions to please get in touch.

“I would also appeal directly to the companion of the young man involved to come forward and report what he knows to the police. The victim has been through a horrendous experience, which she will have to live with for the rest of her life.

“The person responsible has no place in our community and must be arrested as soon as possible.”

Anyone who has information is asked to contact the Divisional Rape Investigation Unit via 101.