Hackney sex attacks: police appeal for help

HACKNEY POLICE are escalating their attempts to find a suspect in connection with two separate sex attacks in Hackney which took place in May.

•The case has now featured on BBC1’s Crimewatch programme, which broadcast CCTV footage of one of the attacks.

•In an attempt to obtain a breakthrough in this case, Crimestoppers is now offering a £10,000 reward for information that leads to the identification and conviction of the offender.

The first attack occurred on Wednesday, 10th May. Around midnight, a 36 year old woman began walking home, on a journey which took her along Kingsland Road, Middleton Road and Haggerston Road, E8. CCTV footage shows the suspect loitering in Scriven Street – and then following the woman and grabbing her and violently pushing her to the ground. Fortunately, a passing car appears to have disturbed him and he ran off. The woman managed to run to safety, having suffered injuries to her hand and back in the attack.

The second attack took place in the early hours of Friday, 12th May. A 35 year old woman was walking home, on a journey which took her along Kingsland Road to Hertford Road, N1. She noticed a man following her. He then ran up to her and pushed her to the ground. The victim screamed and managed to attract the attention of a passing taxi driver, who came to help. The suspect ran away, heading towards Downham Road.

Police believe the same man was involved in both attacks. He is described as being a black man, between 5ft 6ins and 5ft 10ins and in his early 20s. In addition, the CCTV footage shows that he is of slim build and wearing what appears to be a Nike hooded top. Police have painstakingly reviewed CCTV footage shot in the area and they believe that this man regularly passes through Haggerston late at night. This means that he is probably local – and suggests that he remains a threat to women in Hackney.

This man represents a live and serious potential threat. Police are keen to hear from anyone who can help identify him, but also from any women who have been in the Haggerston area late at night and believe they may have been followed, or from anyone who has seen this man loitering around Haggerston or appearing to follow a woman on the street. If you have been a victim of this man and not yet reported a crime, you are urged to come forward and the police will treat you with great sympathy.

•Anyone with information should contact Hackney CID via 101, quoting Operation Meadow. Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800-555 111 or via their website – and provide information in confidence.

•Read more about it:
Violent Hackney Robber jailed
Hackney mum mugged

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