Ealing Police would like to appeal for help from the general public in identifying a suspect who police believe is responsible for two separate incidents of sexual assault. These occurred in close proximity of each other in the W5 area of Ealing Borough in the last seven days.

The first incident happened at about 11pm on Monday 9th August. A 25 year old female was walking home from South Ealing tube station to Ealing YMCA located at 25 St Mary’s Ave, W5. As she got nearer to the YMCA a white male passed her and said something to her similar to “Hi”.

The man then started to follow her. As she went towards the entrance of the YMCA building he grabbed her from behind, covering her mouth, and taking the female to the ground. The two struggled and the victim fought back. The victim hit the suspect and tried to grab at his face, with her finger being bitten in the process. The victim screamed and shouted, and the suspect ran off, direction unknown.

The suspect is around 18 20 years old, 5’06” tall and was wearing a long white jumper with a navy collar and cuffs, navy tracksuit bottoms and white trainers.

In the second incident which happened at around 11pm on Wednesday the 11th August a 20 year old female was walking home from South Ealing tube. She traveled north along South Ealing Road and turned right into Warwick Road, by Thames Valley University. From the area of St Mary’s Church the victim was aware of the suspect following behind her, apparently chatting into his mobile phone. Whilst passing the TVU the suspect has grabbed the victim from behind, right hand covering her mouth, and left arm around her neck.

The suspect began to try and drag the victim towards the car park area. The victim struggled enough for the suspect to release the hand covering her mouth and began to scream. She continued to struggle and scream for a further 15 seconds until she broke free and was able to run. The suspect made off back towards St Mary’s Road, whilst the victim ran to a nearby house.

In this incident the suspect is described as a white male around 18- 20yrs, 5’09” tall and wearing a Navy baseball cap, navy sweatshirt and blue jeans.

Did you see this man in the area around the time of either offence? Have you seen this man at any time in the area prior to either incident on Monday 9th and Wednesday 11th August 2004? Have you seen this man in the area since the incidents took place? Do you know this man?

Ealing Police would ask anyone who can provide details of any sightings of the suspect or heard or saw the incident or who may recognise the suspect from his description to contact Ds Mark Maberly in The Sapphire Unit at Southall Police Station on telephone number 0208-246-1139 or alternatively Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police would also like to appeal to any victims of unreported sexual assaults, which may have occurred in this area to contact them at the Sapphire Office at Southall Police Station on telephone number 020-8246-1139 or alternatively Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.

Ealing Police Detective Sergeant Mark Maberly states, “Ealing Borough Police are treating these incidents very seriously. We are anxious to trace the offender and would ask anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may appear, to contact us. The motive of these attacks is not known at present however we would assume that the methods employed by the suspect during the attacks indicate his objective was to commit a sexual assault. Therefore we are urging members of the public to be especially vigilant as we believe this individual poses a threat to lone females. We would ask female members of the public to avoid walking home on their own in this area if possible. Consider asking friends or family members to meet you and give you a lift home or walk with you. Sometimes this is not always possible therefore we would like you to study some crime prevention material we have outlined below to help combat this sort of offence.”

Extra police patrols have been deployed in the area since the attacks.

Staying safe when you’re out and about

• If you often walk home in the dark, get a personal attack alarm from a DIY store or ask your local crime prevention officer where you can buy one. Carry it in your hand so you can use it immediately to scare off an attacker. Make sure it is designed to continue sounding if it’s dropped or falls to the ground.
• Carry your bag close to you with the clasp facing inwards. Carry your house keys in your pocket. If someone grabs your bag, let it go. If you hang on, you could get hurt. Remember your safety is more important than your property.
• If you think someone is following you, check by crossing the street – more than once if necessary – to see if he follows. If you are still worried, get to the nearest place where there are other people – a pub or anywhere with a lot of lights on – and call the police. Avoid using an enclosed phone box in the street, as the attacker could trap you inside.
• If you regularly go jogging or cycling, try to vary your route and time. Stick to well-lit roads with pavements. On commons and parklands, keep to main paths and open spaces where you can see and be seen by other people – avoid wooded areas. If you wear a personal stereo, remember you can’t hear traffic, or somebody approaching behind you.
• Don’t take short cuts through dark alleys, parks or across waste ground. Walk facing the traffic so a car cannot pull up behind you unnoticed.
• If a car stops and you are threatened, scream and shout, and set off your personal attack alarm if you have one. Get away as quickly as you can. This will gain you vital seconds and make it more difficult for the car driver to follow. If you can, make a mental note of the number and description of the car. Write down details as soon as possible afterwards.
• Don’t hitchhike or take lifts from strangers.
• Cover up expensive looking jewellery.
• Self-defence and safety awareness classes may help you feel more secure. Ask your local council or your work if they have classes.

If the worst happens

• Think what you would do if someone attacked you. Could you fight back, or would you avoid resisting and wait to escape? Only you can decide whether to fight back, but preparing yourself for all possibilities could provide a split-second advantage.
• If someone threatens you, shout and scream for help and set off your personal attack alarm if you have one. This may unnerve the attacker and frighten him off.
• You have every right to defend yourself, with reasonable force with items, which you have with you like an umbrella, hair spray or keys can be used against the attacker. The law however doesn’t allow carrying anything, which can be described as an offensive weapon.

What men can do

• If you are walking in the same direction as a woman on her own, don’t walk behind her – this may worry her. Cross the road and walk on the other side. This may reassure her that you are not following her.
• If you are thinking of chatting to a woman waiting, for example, at a lonely bus stop, remember that she won’t know you mean no harm.

August 17, 2004