Hunt for attacker who jumped out of bush and dragged woman into garden

Police are hunting a man who jumped out of a bush and grabbed a woman in Manor Park Gardens, Edgware, before dragging her into a garden <i>(Image: Google)</i>
Police are hunting a man who jumped out of a bush and grabbed a woman in Manor Park Gardens, Edgware, before dragging her into a garden (Image: Google)

A hunting a man who jumped out of a bush and grabbed a woman before dragging her into a garden is on the run.

Police were called at 10.25pm on Thursday ( June 27) by a member of the public who had found a woman partially clothed in Manor Park Gardens, Edgware, and saw a man running away.

The victim, who is in her 20s, was walking along the road when the suspect, who was hiding in a garden, jumped out and dragged her into the garden, Scotland Yard said.

The victim is being supported by specialist officers and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full facts.

The suspect is described as a white man with a stocky build, wearing a white T-shirt and black shorts and trainers.

Detective Inspector Richard Lewsley, from the Metropolitan Police's north west area public protection team, said: “I understand that this a shocking and deeply concerning incident.

"I’d like to reassure the local community that we are treating this as an absolute priority and my officers are working tirelessly to apprehend the suspect.

“We are appealing to the public to help us find the suspect as quickly as possible.

"We are especially keen to speak to anyone who was in the Manor Park Gardens area between about 10.15pm and 10.30pm who may have seen the suspect running from the area.

"Any information you have, no matter how insignificant you think it is, could be vital to our fast-paced investigation.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting 2843/28Jun or message @MetCC on X.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.