'Skinny' man forced woman into alleyway and assaulted her

Police have released CCTV footage which shows a suspect in a rape investigation following a woman from Acton Town station

At around 9.25pm on Saturday, 28 September he dragged her into Langford Close, off Mill Hill Road, W3 and assaulted her. Prior to the attack, the woman had left the station and walked along Avenue Road and then Langley Drive, at some point along this route police believe the suspect began to follow her.

The victim, a woman in her twenties, told police she had been approached from behind by a man who put his hand over her mouth to stop her screaming. The man then forced her to the alley where he carried out the attack.

A member of the public heard what was happening and called police, but the man ran off towards Uxbridge Road, prior to police arrival.

Officers have conducted an extensive CCTV enquiry and are releasing the only images they can find that show the suspect.

The suspect was described as skinny with a London accent.

Another man was arrested close to the scene on suspicion of rape, but he has now been eliminated from the inquiry.

The woman is being supported by specially trained officers.

Detectives would like to speak with anyone who was in the area at the time and who heard or saw anything suspicious.

Entrance to Langford Close. Property in foreground not connected to incident

Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at the West Area Command Unit via 101 or contact police via Twitter @MetCC quoting reference Cad 7575/28Sep

To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

October 7, 2019