Woman ‘is raped by unkempt stranger’ in south London park: Police launch urgent investigation following ‘horrific ordeal’
- The woman said the ‘horrific ordel’ took place in a Bromley park in south London
- Police said the woman is being cared for by officers at Haven rape crisis centre
Police have launched an investigation after a woman said she was raped by an ‘unkempt’ stranger in a park in south London.
The woman said the ‘horrific ordeal’ took place at Warren Avenue Playing Fields, Bromley, on Friday evening.
The man reportedly approached the woman and made sexual comments suggesting she should know him before he assaulted her and fled on foot.
The suspect was described as a black man with short hair, 35 to 40 years of age, around 5ft 10ins in height, and slim in build.
Police and ambulance staff were called to the scene at around 8.15pm that evening following report of the attack. Officers subsequently cordoned off the area.
The woman said the ‘horrific order’ took place in Warren Avenue Playing Fields, Bromley, on Friday evening around 8.15pm (file image of police tape)
Police have confirmed that the woman is now being cared for by specialist officers at Haven rape crisis centre.
‘The suspect approached the woman, who did not recognise him, but he made comments suggesting that she should know him,’ DCI Stuart Hart of the Met’s South Area BCU said.
‘She was sexually assaulted and raped before the man made off on foot.
‘The victim suffered a horrific ordeal and she will be given our full support. Tackling violence against women and girls is absolutely a top priority for the Met, and I can assure her that dedicated officers are doing all they can to identify the man responsible for this attack.
‘The suspect is described as a black man with short hair, possibly aged 35 to 40 years of age, around 5ft 10ins in height and of slim build. He had what was described as ‘an unkempt dry and scraggly black beard, patchy on one side’. He was wearing a dark coloured long sleeved shirt.
‘If you may know the identity of this man, or have information about somebody in the local area matching that description, please do not hesitate to call police.’
Anyone with information that may assist the police investigation is asked to call 101, ref 4458/20may, or contact Crimestoppers.
