Man arrested after disappearance of 11-year-old girl in Scottish Borders

A man has been arrested following the disappearance of an 11-year-old girl in the Scottish Borders.

The schoolgirl was last seen in Galashiels town centre at around 5.45pm on Sunday and was reported missing later that night.

A community-wide search was launched in what Chief Superintendent Catriona Paton described as “a huge operation”.

Assistance was provided from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Border Search and Rescue Unit, volunteers, and specialist teams from Police Scotland, including investigators, divers and air support.

The girl was eventually traced “safe and well” at a property in the town on Monday night.

A 53-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident.

Police said enquiries into the circumstances are “ongoing”.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “A 53-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the disappearance of an 11-year-old girl from Galashiels, who was reported missing on Sunday 5 February 2023.

“The girl was traced at a property in the Galashiels area around 9.30pm on Monday 6 February.

“Enquiries into the circumstances are ongoing.”