East London Attacks Could Be Linked

30 December 2012, 12:20 | Updated: 30 December 2012, 12:28

Met Police say two attacks on lone women in Wapping Wood this month could be linked.

The first attack happened at around 6.25pm on Tuesday 4 December, as the victim, aged 38, walked through the park.

The attacker stabbed her before taking a digital camera from her bag and running off towards The Highway.

Then yesterday (Sunday 29 December), at around 12.25pm, a similar incident took place in the same area in which the victim was a 26 year-old woman.

She is in a serious condition in hospital, but her injuries are not life-threatening.

Following the first attack, the description of the suspect was given as an Asian male in his late teens or early twenties,
between 5ft 2ins and 6ft in height, chubby build with short black straight hair with a brushed forward fringe. He was wearing a dark, unzipped hoodie with light tassels, and jeans.

The second victim described her attacker as an Asian man, aged around 30 years, 5ft 6 to 7ins in height, with gelled messy hair and light stubble, and wearing denim jeans and a dark jacket.

Given the similarities between the circumstances and victim descriptions in both attacks, police say they could be linked.

Extra police patrols will be carried out in the area to provide reassurance to the community.