Police have praised the composure of a seven-year-old girl who fended off a teenage sex attacker who pounced in a wooded beauty spot within earshot of her home.

She was grabbed by the arm and dragged into undergrowth as she played near her home in South Queensferry, near Edinburgh.

The boy, said to be of high school age, first tried to the engage girl in conversation.

Police would not reveal details of the case but said she was able to run home and raise the alarm.

Officers have spoken to head teachers and deployed extra staff on the ground but believe the incident to be opportunistic and isolated.

The ordeal was over in seconds but the girl and her family were left distraught after the attack a few moments from her home in the town that sits in the shadow of the Forth bridges.

Police are convinced the answer lies within the community as they renewed their appeal a week after the attack.

Detective Inspector Julie Marshall, from the Public Protection Unit in Edinburgh, said: "It has taken seconds, it's not a prolonged attacked. It's very quick.

"She knew this wasn't right and went to tell her parents."

She said they've not ruled out he was a schoolboy.

She added: "It is now one week since a young girl was subjected to an indecent assault in a wooded area of South Queensferry and I would firstly like to thank the public for their incredible support and assistance with our inquiries.

"Several members of the local community have already come forward to provide information that continues to be progressed as part of our efforts to trace the suspect.

The senior officer added: "Mum and dad have been very good they've tried to keep everything as normal as possible for her, so she is actually doing very well.

"The parents were distraught but seeing how well her daughter's doing it gives them confidence.

"The whole incident took place off the path. In an around, but just off the path.

"We have been contacted by members of the public and we are taking every one seriously."

The officers launched the fresh appeal for information a week on from the attack and say they remain convinced “someone within the community” knows the suspect.

The girl was assaulted on a cycle path behind South Queensferry bowling club between 1.30pm and 1.45pm on Friday June 3, sparking a major investigation.

Her attacker is a boy of high-school age who is white with hazel brown-coloured hair that was swept forward.

He was wearing a blue round-necked t-shirt with white lettering and carrying a black-and-blue rucksack. He had a temporary tattoo on one of his hands.

Detective Inspector Julie Marshall said: "She was within earshot of her parents. Suffice to say she doesn't live far away.

"The parents were in and around the front door of the home.

"This is an area where the wee one plays almost daily.

"The parents of the children and the child knows it very well area they've never had any concerns this day or any other day."

Police Scotland's Chief Inspector James Jones also said: “I remain confident that someone within the community knows the suspect or can help us find him. If this is the case, then please contact police immediately.”