POLICE are hunting a woman who assaulted a young boy by slapping him on the face and pulling him aggressively towards a beach.

Members of the public raised the alarm when the woman “assaulted” the lad who is thought to have been in her care.

Police said she was seen slapping him “to the face and buttocks causing him to cry”.

She then pulled the lad “aggressively by the wrist” towards the beach “while shouting” at him.

Police said the incident happened on Melbourne Road, North Berwick, East Lothian, around 9.10am yesterday.

Officers are now concerned for the welfare of the child and are seeking help in identifying the woman and the boy.

The female is described as white with a well-spoken English accent.

She is believed to be in her 20s, 5ft 4in, of slim-build with dark brown hair.

The woman was wearing a pale blue Paramo jacket with the hood up and stone-coloured trousers.

The child is described as white, nine or 10-years-old, 4ft 8in to 5ft, of slim build 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 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.”