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Police hunt late night intruder who sexually assaulted boy in his bedroom

Police are hunting a man spotted on CCTV in the area
Police are hunting a man spotted on CCTV in the area

Police are urgently hunting  a suspected paedophile who entered a schoolboy's bedroom and sexually assaulted him while his family were in another room.

The incident took place in Ickenham, north west London just after midnight on Saturday night when the man entered a flat through an unlocked front door and crept into the youngster's room.

He molested the child and only fled the scene when his victim told him he would call the police.

The alarm was raised by the boy's family, who had been in another room at the time and completely unaware of what was happening

Police in the area have issued a warning to locals to lock their doors at night, but have stressed that incidents like this are extremely rare.

The victim and his family were said to be extremely distressed by the attack and were last night being supported by specially trained officers.

Scotland Yard has issued a CCTV image of a man who was spotted in the area at the time, who they are urgently trying to trace in connection with the incident.

One theory being explored is that the attacker was a burglar, who had been scoping out properties in the neighbourhood, and entered the property after finding the front door unlocked.

It is thought he then went into the boy's bedroom and assaulted the boy in an opportunistic attack rather than having targeted him specifically.

Local resident Scott Wilson, 33, said there had been a lot of problems in the area recently with drug dealers and addicts hanging around late at night.

Another local, who asked not to be named, said there had been a lot of burglaries and thefts in the area, particularly of catalytic converters, but nothing of his nature.

He added: “I live with my wife, daughter and mother. My young daughter has been absolutely terrified by this."

Detective Constable Claire Field, from the Met, said: “This matter has clearly caused a great deal of anguish to the boy’s family. Police are very concerned and we are carrying out an extensive and well-resourced investigation.

"We are appealing for the public’s help to identify a man who was seen running from the area shortly after the assault. It is vital that we speak to him to establish why he was in the vicinity.

“Whilst incidents such as this are thankfully very rare, I would encourage people to ensure that their homes are kept secure at all times and to report anyone acting suspiciously.”

The suspect is described as white, of slim build with short hair and a beard. He was wearing blue jeans and a T-shirt.