An investigation has been launched after a 26-year-old man was bundled into a van and assaulted before being left at the side of a road in East Kilbride.

The man had stepped off a bus on Calderwood Road at around 10:10 pm on Friday and was making his way onto Cantieslaw Drive when two or three man put a bag over his head before assaulting him and knocking him unconscious.

After he came to, the man found himself next to the A725 expressway heading towards East Kilbride. 

It is unknown how long he was within the vehicle.

The vehicle is described as a white Ford van that appeared new, with a silver or grey roof rack.

The number plate is unknown and the van had no writing on the side of it. The suspects are described as having local accents.

Detective Constable Paul Mooney, said: “This incident appears to have been targeted and we are appealing for anyone with any information that can help us establish exactly what happened.

“Think back, do you remember seeing a new white Ford van with a silver or grey roof rack around the Cantieslaw Drive area on Friday evening?

“We would also ask anyone who may have been driving on the A725 late Friday evening and in the early hours of Saturday morning to get in touch with us – do you have dash-cam footage?

“Did you see a man walking along the side of the road trying to stop cars for assistance?

“Any piece of information, no matter how small, could be the key to help us find those responsible.”