Met Police launch appeal after woman sexually assaulted in car park near Newham McDonald's

Detectives have released an e-fit image of a man they want to identify after a woman reported being sexually assaulted in an east London car park.

The 24-year-old victim was returning home from a night out with a friend at around 2.30am on Friday 3 June when she stopped at McDonalds in Canning Town, Newham, but found the it closed to the public.

The Met Police say as she made her way home through the car park adjacent to the Silvertown Way fast food restaurant, she was approached by an unknown man and sexually assaulted.

She managed to scream and alert her friend, prompting her attacker to flee in the direction of the nearby Morrisons supermarket, the force's statement said.

The woman has described the suspect as being of Asian appearance and possibly aged in his mid to late 30s. He wore glasses and had a light-coloured beard.

Detective Constable Matt Wilson, from the North East Safeguarding Unit, said: “This was a terrifying attack on a woman in the middle of the night. She bravely managed to call out for help and in doing so caused her attacker to run away, but not before she was sexually assaulted.

“Given the time of night, the car park was not busy, but we do know there were some people in the area including delivery drivers waiting to collect orders from McDonalds. We also know there was a white van parked in the car park at the time.

“I would urge anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious or even just unusual, to come forward. I’d also encourage anyone who thinks they recognise the person depicted in the e-fit image to get in touch.

“We take incidents such as this extremely seriously and will follow any possible line of enquiry presented to us.

“While we have no information at this stage to indicate that this man has struck before, we cannot rule out the possibility. I would urge anyone who has been the victim of an assault of this nature, no matter when it took place, to call the police.

“We have specialist officers who will take your concerns seriously and provide support throughout the investigation and any judicial process that follows.”

Anyone with information should call 101 with the reference 3228/19JUN.

Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.