Detectives hunt man after rape of woman in City of London
A woman was attacked in the capital's financial district in the early hours of 7 December.
Wednesday 19 December 2018 12:50, UK
Police have released CCTV images of a man they "urgently need to identify" after the "distressing" rape of a woman earlier this month.
The victim was attacked around 3am on Friday 7 December, in St Michael's Alley, in the City of London.
"This was a distressing attack on a young woman in the very heart of our City," commander Jane Gyford of the City of London Police said.
"We have identified from CCTV footage a man we need to speak to and if you recognise this person, it is vitally important you get in touch with police immediately."
CCTV shows the man walking in the Hoxton area at 2.30am.
Police describe him as white, possibly olive skinned, with brown hair and a slim build.
He was dressed in black trousers, a black blazer and a black scarf.
Later footage shows the man at 2.45am walking along Liverpool Street into Old Broad Street and then along Threadneedle Street.
He is then seen outside a bar on Cornhill, the main road connected to St Michael's Alley, where the attack took place.
The last footage found of the man shows him at 3.30am walking over London Bridge and entering the area of Clink Street.
Police are also looking to speak to a woman they describe as a key witness.
A white woman with blonde hair was approached by the man in the CCTV images.
He walked with her into Worship Street.
Commander Gyford said: "I want to stress, this woman is not in any trouble. She may be able to provide key information to us about the man who spoke to her.
"We would also like to establish that she's OK. Anything she can tell us would be extremely useful."
Anyone with information is urged to call police on 0207 601 2988. Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via http://mipp.police.uk by quoting 'Op Kaus'.