Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Police hunt for London shopping centre sex attacker after three teenagers assaulted

‘If you know who he is or have also been a victim, I would urge you to get in touch,’ police say

Chiara Giordano
Monday 18 February 2019 13:10 GMT
Metropolitan Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to about the sexual assaults of three teenagers at Westfield Stratford in London in July 2018.
Metropolitan Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to about the sexual assaults of three teenagers at Westfield Stratford in London in July 2018. (Metropolitan Police)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Detectives are hunting for a man after three teenagers were sexually assaulted at a shopping centre in London.

Police have released an image of a man wanted for questioning over the incidents which took place at Westfield Stratford on three separate days in July last year.

In the first incident on 7 July the suspect followed a 15-year-old girl around the shopping centre before sexually assaulting her over her clothing.

The following day, on 8 July, he again followed a 15-year-old girl before approaching her and indecently touching her over her clothing.

During the third offence on 21 July the suspect followed an 18-year-old woman around the shopping centre before sexually assaulting her over her clothing.

None of the victims required medical treatment but were distressed at being targeted, followed and sexually assaulted.

DC Paul Newton, from Newham police, who is leading the investigation, urged anyone who recognises the man or has also been a victim to get in touch.

He said: “This was a hideous set of sexual assaults on young girls out enjoying a day in the shopping centre.

“The suspect has deliberately targeted women alone and has gone to some length to pursue them.

“If you know who he is or have also been a victim, I would urge you to get in touch.”

Anyone with information about the identity of the man pictured is asked to call police on 07564 613 966 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

You can also contact the police through the Twitter account @MetCC.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in