Urgent hunt for 'knifeman' preying upon women walking alone in public parks

Detectives are urgently hunting for a suspected knifeman who attacked two women who were walking alone in west London parks.

The first victim - a woman in her 20s - was approached by a man who grabbed her and dragged her into a secluded area of The Gravel Pits in Northwood, Hillingdon on Saturday afternoon.

The attacker then sexually assaulted the woman, police say, and told the victim he had a knife to stop her from shouting out.

The suspect ran off in the direction of Copse Wood Way after the victim cried for help from a passing member of the public.

"[The victim] is being supported by specially trained officers," a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said.

A second woman, aged in her 50s, was attacked in Duck Pond Park, Ruislip at 8.15am on Sunday.

While the victim was walking through the park, a man put his hand over her mouth and said he would stab her if she started to shout.

The attacker pulled the woman to the floor and attempted to drag her off the footpath into a ditch.

The victim screamed and the man off in the direction of Pinn Way.

Detectives believe the two attacks are linked and are appealing for help in finding the attacker.

A knife was not seen in either incident.

The suspect is described as a light-skinned black or Asian man, aged between 20-30 years old, around 5ft 8in tall, of slim build, with a bald or closely shaven head. He was wearing a dark coloured tracksuit at the time of both incidents.

Detective Sergeant Kevin Pandya, who is leading the investigation, said: “These two attacks took place in broad daylight and we believe the same suspect is responsible for both incidents.

“We want to reassure the community that our officers are carrying out extensive enquiries to try and identify this man and we are asking for the public’s help to find him.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD 4511/12Sep. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.