Woman raped in Burgess Park in ‘truly horrific incident’

A woman was raped in a south-east London park in what police have called a “truly horrific incident”.

On May 26, the woman in her 20s said she was sitting on a bench in Burgess Park between 9.30 and 10.15am when a man approached her.

According to the victim, the man asked asked her a series of personal questions and made sexual comments.

The woman proceeded to walk away before she ran into the nearby Cobourg nature reserve to escape the suspect.

The man, who claimed to have a knife, followed her into the nature reserve where the assault took place.

The suspect is described as black, in his late 20s to early 30s, and with a scar under his eye on the left side of his face and a close-cut beard.

He was of a larger build, had dark eyes, bushy eyebrows and spoke with a London accent. At the time of the attack, he was wearing a black durag type hat with black tracksuit bottoms.

Detective constable Timea Fazekas, who is leading the investigation, said: “This was a truly horrific incident for the victim and she 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.

“I ask members of the public to consider this description and speak to us if you think you know who the man could be.”

Anyone who has information that could help the investigation is asked to call police on 101 or via Twitter @MetCC. And give reference CAD 2579/26MAY. To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.