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9th June 2023
09:33am BST
A manhunt is underway after a woman says she was raped in broad daylight while walking through a London park in what police have described as a "truly horrific incident".
The attack took place in Burgess Park in Southwark, South London, on May 26.
The woman, in her 20s, told police she was approached by a man as she sat on a bench.
The man asked her personal questions before making "comments of a sexual nature toward her", prompting her to walk away.
He then followed the woman, who ran away and tried to hide in a nearby Coburgh nature reserve.
Met Police said the man, "who intimated he had a knife", followed the woman into the nature reserve where the assault took place between 9.30am and 10.30am.
The offender is described as a Black man, of large build, in his late-20s, or early 30s. He had a scar under his left eye, bushy eyebrows and a close-cut beard. The man had a deep voice and spoke with a London accent.
He was reported to be wearing black jogging bottoms with no visible logo and a black durag or hat.
Detective Constable Timea Fazekas of the Met Police described the incident as "truly horrific".
He said the victim is being "fully supported by officers specially trained to investigate sexual offences".
"Despite this undoubtedly terrifying ordeal, the victim is able to recall significant details about the attacker," Fazekas said.
"I ask members of the public to consider this description and speak to us if you think you know who the man could be.
"Similarly, if you were in the park at the time and perhaps and remember seeing a man matching this description, or anything out of the ordinary, please get in touch with us without delay."
Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 101, quoting reference CAD 2579/26MAY or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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