Ealing Police would like to appeal for witnesses to a sexual assault, which occurred in a walkway near Brookbank Road, Hanwell.

The 17 year old female victim was walking along Brookbank Road at around 6.30 in the evening of Monday 19th July. At the junction with Brookbank Road and Bridge Road the victim took a right into an alley, which provides a route towards the Ruislip Road, Greenford.

Whilst walking in this area the victim passed a group of three males. As she walked past them she heard them make appreciative comments towards her. The victim ignored these and walked on. Shortly afterwards the victim felt someone grab her by her hair at the back of her head and drag her backwards to the ground. Another man then got on top of her and pinned her down, holding her tightly by the throat, also pinning her down by the upper arms and sexually assaulted her. He was then joined by the man who had originally grabbed her by the hair.

When she got an opportunity she pushed one of the men off her and ran away in the direction she was originally headed. She did not look back so did not see if they followed her or in which direction the suspects went.

The third man did not take any part in the assault and Ealing Borough Police would appeal to his conscience to come forward.

The man who originally grabbed the victim is describes as white, about 28 years old, 5’07”, wearing a navy jumper, blue jeans. He had short dark brown hair, a fat build and spoke with a foreign accent. The third man who did not participate in the attack had a very similar description and may be related. The second attacker was black of medium build and height wearing a black baseball cap, black tracksuit top and bottoms.

Police are also keen to speak to 3 young Asian males, one of whom was on a bike, who were seen at the entrance to the Alleyway at the junction with Brookbank Road and Bridge Road about 15 minutes before the incident occurred. These individuals are not suspects to the incident but may be able to help police with their enquiries as they may have seen the suspects and /or the victim in the area.

Ealing Police spokesperson said, " We are anxious to trace the offenders and would ask anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may appear, to contact us. This was a particularly shocking incident which happened in broad daylight on a Monday evening and we would members of the public to be especially vigilant as these individuals may pose a threat to lone females. "

Ealing Borough Police would like to appeal to any witnesses of this offence to come forward to police with any piece of information, however insignificant they feel it might be. Please contact DC Peter Macdonald in The Sapphire Unit at Southall Police Station on telephone number 020-8246-1145 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.

July 28, 2004