Detectives from the Metropolitan Police have launched a desperate manhunt after a teenage girl was drugged and subjected to a horrific sexual assault in a West London park.
The attack occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning in Hanger Lane Park, Ealing. The victim, whose age has not been officially disclosed, was approached by an unknown man who offered her a drink. Shortly after consuming it, she began to feel unwell and disoriented.
The assailant then led the vulnerable teenager to a secluded area of the park where he raped her. After the attack, he calllessly left her at the scene. The traumatised victim managed to raise the alarm, and she was rushed to a specialist centre for support and medical care.
Police Appeal for Crucial Witnesses
Officers from the Metropolitan Police's Specialist Crime Command are leading the investigation. They are urgently appealing to the public for information that could lead to the perpetrator's capture.
Detective Sergeant James Archer, who is leading the investigation, stated: "This was a terrifying attack on a young girl who has been left extremely traumatised by her ordeal. We are doing everything we can to support her while we work to identify the man responsible."
Police are particularly keen to speak to anyone who was in or around Hanger Lane Park between the hours of 1:00 AM and 4:00 AM on Sunday morning. They believe members of the public may have seen the suspect either before the attack or fleeing the area afterwards.
Description of the Suspect
The suspect is described as a man with a medium build and short, dark hair. He was wearing a black puffer jacket and dark-coloured trousers at the time of the assault.
Extensive forensic work is being carried out at the scene, and detectives are reviewing all available CCTV footage from the surrounding area in the hope of identifying the individual.
Anyone with information is urged not to approach the man but to contact police immediately by calling 101 and quoting reference number 2432/27JAN. Information can also be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
