Rape Appeal Poster

Detectives will today be revisiting the scene where a teenager was raped in a small wooded area in Burpham, Guildford a week ago to seek help from members of the public in catching her attacker.

Officers will be talking to local people and passers-by and handing out leaflets in London Road, Burpham between 3pm and 5pm. Posters including the e-fit are being displayed around the area and in local businesses and shops.

The attack took place last Thursday 16 September at about 4pm in a small wooded area just off the London Road, between the junctions with Abbotswood and Weylea Avenue.

The 14-year-old victim was walking along the London Road and had just turned onto a footpath when she was attacked and forced into the small wooded area and assaulted.

Officers have issued an e-fit of a man who was seen in the area around 4pm and who they would like to talk to, if only to eliminate him from enquiries.

Detectives are particularly keen to speak to a man described as slim, white, tanned, in his early 20s with short scruffy brown hair and stubble on his face. He was wearing a brown/mustard coloured hoodie-style top with a light coloured T shirt underneath,  baggy skateboarder-style denim jeans and grubby white trainers. Believed to be in the area at the time, officers would like to identify him as he may be able to assist with enquiries.

Detectives are scouring footage from a number of CCTV cameras in the local area in the search for any clues. The area being covered by house to house enquiries has been extended to cover more than just the immediate vicinity.

Residents will see police officers in the area in the coming days. Some will be completing the house to house enquiries; others are there to reassure local people and give advice.

The advice which should be considered by local people is as follows:

    * If possible walk with a friend
    * Avoid using a personal music player or mobile phone while walking in the area
    * If you think you are being followed find a busy location or knock on a resident’s door and call the police
    * Be vigilant and aware of your surroundings and strangers.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Hayes, who is leading the investigation, said: “We will have officers in the area this afternoon, exactly a week since the attack, who will be talking to members of the public and people who regularly use the area, hoping to jog people’s memories.

“The area of London Road would have been busy and I am urging anyone who was in Burpham between 3pm and 5pm last Thursday 16 September or who was in the area during the preceding week, to come forward. They may have that vital piece of information we need.

“There are increased patrols by Safer Neighbourhood teams and officers are happy to talk to anyone who thinks they may be able to help or who has any concerns. They will also be able to give advice on any personal safety issues.

“This was a dreadful crime on a young girl and I can’t stress enough how determined we are to catch this man.

 “I would like to reassure the community that this type of offence is extremely rare, and local people should not be fearful but they should be vigilant and take sensible precautions.”

Anyone with information is urged to call Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222, quoting reference GD/10/9545, or ring the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111 if you wish to remain anonymous.