Urgent investigation opens after woman raped by man with ‘scraggly black beard’

An urgent investigation has been launched after a woman was raped on Friday.

Police were called at around 8.15pm to a report that a woman had been raped in Warren Avenue Playing Fields, Bromley.

Police have said the victim was approached by the suspect who she did not recognise, despite his comments suggesting that she should know him.

The suspect sexually assaulted her and then raped her before leaving the scene on foot.

The suspect has been described as a black man with short hair, possibly aged 35 to 40, around 5ft 10ins in height and of slim build. 

He had what was described as “an unkempt dry and scraggly black beard, patchy on one side” and was wearing a dark coloured long-sleeved shirt at the time of the attack.

The woman has been taken to a women’s refuge centre and is being supported by specialist officers.

Cordons are in place and officers remain in the area. 

DCI Stuart Hart, of the Met’s South Area BCU, said: “The victim suffered a horrific ordeal and she will be given our full support. 

“Tackling violence against women and girls is absolutely a top priority for the Met, and I can assure her that dedicated officers are doing all they can to identify the man responsible for this attack.

“If you may know the identity of this man, or have information about somebody in the local area matching that description, please do not hesitate to call police.”

Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to call 101, ref 4458/20May. To remain anonymous please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

(Picture: PxHere)