Woman raped on Heygate Estate: police appeal for information

At around 3.55am on Sunday morning a 24-year-old woman was standing at a bus stop in the New Kent Road near the junction with Rodney Place.

She was approached by a man – described as white, with an east European accent – who grabbed her and forced her into a stairwell on the nearby derelict Heygate Estate.

He threatened the woman before raping her.

The victim's shouts alerted some passers-by who came to her assistance and ended the attack.

Despite their attempts to detain the suspect, however, he was able to flee the scene and ran away down Rodney Place.

Police were called to the scene and an investigation has begun. The victim is receiving specialist care at a haven centre.

Police are appealing for any witnesses who may have seen or heard anything about the attack to come forward.

The suspect is described as a white male with an east European accent, aged in his late thirties or early forties, of skinny build with dark black hair, pronounced eyebrows, and unshaven with a around a week's worth of stubble.

He was wearing pale blue jeans, black shoes, a black thigh-length jacket and grey top.

Witnesses should call the incident room on 07990 793471 or 020 8721 4640 or speak anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Detective Inspector Jackie Wakeford-Smith said: "This is a violent and serious attack on a lone female at night.

"It's vital we arrest the perpetrator as soon as possible."

• Southwark Council recently began to install a large steel fence around the northern part of the Heygate Estate.