Sex attacker 'crept into stranger's home and tried to rape her as she slept on sofa'

A suspected sex attacker crept into a stranger's home and tried to rape her as she slept on a sofa, police have said.

A man got into the home in Balham, south west London, just before 3am on Saturday 6 May, when the woman in her 20s was sleeping in her living room, the Met Police said.

When she woke up, the man ordered her to keep quiet, then tried to sexually assault her, they added.

Police said the woman then screamed and he fled the scene.

CCTV spotted a man matching the suspect's description, about 30 minutes later, walking around a mile away along Streatham High Road, Scotland Yard said.

The Met Police released an e-fit and a CCTV image of a man seen walking along the High Road that detectives want to question over the crime.

The suspect is described as black, aged in his late 20s to early 30s, slim but not athletic build, about 5ft 7ins with short afro hair.

Investigators said the assault is being treated as an allegation of attempted rape.

No arrests have been made, but detectives sought to reassure residents by saying it is believed to be an isolated incident.

The victim was left "extremely distressed" by the attack, a spokesman for the force added.

Detective Sergeant Andy Walker, of the Met's South West Command Unit, said: “This was a terrifying ordeal and the victim is being fully supported by officers specially trained to investigate sexual offences.

"We believe this man must have been looking for an opportunity to enter a home, he is clearly a danger to women and we need to find him.

He added: "Officers are doing all they can to find this man, but we believe it is the public who may have the vital information that will help us trace and arrest this man."

Any witnesses can call detectives on 07919302419, police on 101 or contact via Twitter @‌MetCC, quoting CAD 945/06MAY, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.