Appeal following sexual assault and robbery in Finchley

Detectives are appealing for help to identify a man after a woman was sexually assaulted and had her possessions stolen in north London.

Police were called at 04:35hrs on Friday, 13 September to reports of a robbery on Regents Park Road in Finchley.

The victim, aged in her 70s, was getting off a bus when she was followed by an unknown man who pushed her into a doorway and sexually assaulted her. He then ran off having stolen her bank cards and roughly £20,000 worth of jewellery.

The victim suffered several broken ribs and a broken leg as a result of the incident and remains in hospital.

PC Harry Morrice, from the North West area’s local investigations team, said: “This was an extremely distressing incident which has left an elderly woman in hospital, having suffered serious injuries. She is being supported by specially trained officers.

“We want to reassure residents specially trained detectives are working diligently to identify and apprehend whoever is responsible. Incidents of this nature are thankfully incredibly rare in the Finchley area, and we understand and share the shock this has caused.

“We are releasing an image and footage of a man we would like to identify and are asking for assistance from the public. We are also keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time and may have seen the robbery, or a man running off.

"Following this incident, local officers have increased patrols in and around the area. Any residents who have concerns, or who have information that could assist the investigation, are asked to stop and speak to them. You can also call 101 or 999 in an emergency.

“Any information you provide will be treated in the strictest confidence. Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously.”

Anyone who knows this man or has information can call police on 101 or message @MetCC on X quoting CAD 838/13Sep.

Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.

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