Police step up patrols after woman is raped by knifeman in south east London park

Crime reporter(wp/es):

Police have stepped up patrols after a woman was raped in a terrifying attack in a south east London park.

The victim, a woman in her 40s, was walking through Sutcliffe Park in Kidbrooke in broad daylight on Wednesday when a man threatened her with a knife and raped her, police said.

She was taken to hospital following the horrifying ordeal, which happened at about 2.15pm, but has since been discharged and is being supported by specialist officers.

Her attacker stole her handbag and fled the scene.

The Met has increased patrols in and around the park today while detectives continue to carry out their investigations.

The officers will remain in the area over the next few days to provide “reassurance and speak with potential witnesses”.

The woman’s rapist is described as a black man, in his 20s, and was wearing dark clothing and carrying a JD Sports drawstring-style bag.

No CCTV footage was taken from the park itself, but detectives are analysing footage from surrounding areas, police said.

Detective Superintendent Lee Hill said: "Although the investigation is at an early stage, significant progress has already been made.

"I am grateful to those people who have contacted police to share any information they have. I know that members of the local community have come together and are working with police to support our investigation.”

Witness Abby Nicole, 19, was walking her dogs through the park when she heard the woman’s screams.

She told the Weastar Times yesterday: “We heard a horrifying scream, one that didn't sound like someone playing around. 

“All three of us knew something was wrong so we ran to where to where the scream had come from and saw a man running off and another man chasing after him."

“We then saw a woman sitting on the grass, crying her eyes out and went straight over to her.”

Crowds gather for anti-knife rally after youngster stabbed to death

Pic:Crowds gather for a protest after a young man was stabbed to death near his home in Mile End
Crime reporter(wp/es):

Crowds gathered to protest against knife crime in the capital after an aspiring artist was stabbed to death yards from his home in east London.

Syed Jamanoor Islam, 20, died in his mother’s arms after being attacked near his family home in Mile End last Tuesday.

His family, police officers, local councillors and anti-knife crime campaigners gathered in his memory at a rally in the nearby Altab Ali Park on Thursday.

Calls for justice for the 20-year-old’s family, and for community members to stand up against violent crime ran throughout the gathering.

Speaking at the protest, former independent candidate for Mayor of Tower Hamlets Cllr Rabina Khan said: “We all have a shared responsibility: A shared responsibility as parents, as community leaders, as politicians and as young people.

“If we do not share the responsibility of making sure we invest in our young children and to make sure that they have a brighter future it would be so unfair on the generation going forward.”

His family said the “quiet, humble and studious” young man was an innocent bystander to a row between two of his friends and another group of men in Wager Street.

Tower Hamlets Borough Commander Sue Williams, speaking at the rally, called for families to not be scared to check the bags of young family members for knives.

She said: “I was asked by the family about some of the challenges in dealing with knife crime, and really the number one challenge is the abundance of knives and how easy it is to get hold of them.

“It’s not about lock knifes, it’s about knives in your kitchen drawers. And this is about education from parents and families and friends to make sure that young people don’t take a knife when they leave the house.

“Don’t be afraid to check someone’s bag and see what they’re carrying. I check my young daughter’s.”

Speaking on Sunday, Syed Abdul Mukit, the father of Mr Islam, told of how the community needs to stand up against violence if these crimes are to stop.

He said: "We lost our first son in his mother's arms and no family ever wants to lose a child in that manner.

"It is about time we as community members stand up against violence, injustice and hate in the community.

"I am requesting each and every family in the country to address this important issue of the rise in crime in particular knife crime in our society."

A man and two teenage boys have been charged with Mr Islam's murder.

All three, Nayeem Chowdhury, 18, of Burdett Road, Poplar, a 17-year-old boy from Bow and another boy, 15, from Seven Kings, were charged on Monday.

Mr Islam died hours after the fatal stabbing of Abdullahi Tarabi, 19, and Rene Richardson, 24, on Monday, April 10, in a shocking day of knife crime in the capital.

Teenage footballer Mr Tarabi, 19, was stabbed to death after being chased into an alleyway in Northolt.

Mr Richardson, 24, collapsed and died outside his Plumstead home after being stabbed repeatedly in a quiet suburban street.

Young woman suffers 'life-changing' injuries after being hit by car in Maida Vale

Staff reporter(wp/es):

A young woman was left with "life-changing" injuries after she was hit by a car in Maida Vale.

Police were called to Elgin Avenue at about 6.45pm on Monday following reports a woman had been hit by a car.

On arrival, officers found a 24-year-old being treated by paramedics having been “thrown into the air and onto a parked white VW Golf”, police said.

She was taken to a central London hospital where she remains with life-changing injuries.

It is believed the woman was hit by a passing Honda Jazz. 

One witness reported seeing the road blocked by two police cars while officers attended to the scene.

A Met spokesman said: “Officers were called about 6.30pm on Monday, April 17 to Elgin Avenue, following reports of a collision involving a car and a pedestrian.

“On arrival they found a 24-year-old woman being treated by the London Ambulance Service.

“It is believed the woman was in collision with a silver Honda Jazz. She was thrown into the air and onto a parked white VW Golf before landing on the pavement.

“There were a number of people in the immediate area at the time and officers are keen to hear from any witnesses.”

The driver of the car stopped at the scene and was arrested in connection with the crash.

He has since been bailed until mid-May.

Man fighting for life after being stabbed during brawl in busy shopping street

Crime reporter(wp/es):
A man is fighting for his life after he was stabbed during a fight in front of horrified shoppers in central London.

Police confirmed officers were called to a brawl in New Oxford Street at about 11.30 on Friday morning where a man and a woman were found with stab wounds.

One man has been arrested on suspicion of GBH and the incident is not terrorist related, police said. Three people have been taken to hospital.

A spokesman for the Met confirmed one man has been taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. The woman's injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

A spokesman for the Met added: "A crime scene is in place and there are road closures.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area."