Girl traumatised by daylight sex attack

9:14am Tuesday 28th August 2001

FEAR has swept a quiet Mottingham neighbourhood following a sexual attack on a 14-year-old girl.

The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was walking through Lower Marvels Wood, Dunkery Road, when the attacker struck.

Following the terrifying assault, the traumatised teen fled to her boyfriend's house where his mother raised the alarm.

Detectives rushed to the scene and sealed off the area.

They combed the woods in a desperate search for evidence.

Investigating officer Detective Inspector Dave Gaywood said police are looking for a black man, aged about 30, who looked scruffy and was wearing a hat.

The incident, which happened at around noon on August 15, has sparked widespread fear in the neighbourhood which backs onto the woods.

Dunkery Road resident Sally Ingham, 31, said: “There is certainly a sense of dismay around here at the moment. Everyone is shocked by what has happened. You read about these incidents in the papers but never expect it to happen on your own doorstep.

“It is just not safe anywhere these days. When I was a youngster, we could play quite happily in the woods but there is no way I would let my kids out of my sight these days.

“The fact this happened in daylight is even more worrying.”

The mother of two, a creche worker, added: “I didn't know anything about it until my husband noticed police scouring the area. It soon became obvious something terrible had happened.”

Retired policeman and Mottingham ward councillor Charles Rideout said: “The fear of crime affects everybody's lives and there is bound to be concern among residents in the area.

“As a community we must pull together to find ways to tackle anti-sociable behaviour and assist the police in any way we can.

“My deepest sympathies go out to the girl and her family but sadly this is a symptom of the state of crime across London. It is worrying when it happens on your own doorstep and I hope the police resolve the matter quickly and bring the offender to justice.”

If you have information on the incident, call the Crime Desk on 020 8284 8046 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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