Derelict pub on Duff Street. Pic: Ewan Munro

A man was arrested last night in connection with the violent rape of a young woman in Tower Hamlets on Friday December 5.

The 27-year-old man was arrested on Sunday December 7 at an address in E14 Tower Hamlets. He was taken into custody at a central London police station where he remains.

The woman, who is in her 20s, got off the N15 night bus and walked down Duff Street, Poplar moments before she was attacked. The victim was on her way home after a night out with friends in central London.

She was grabbed from behind and pulled into the derelict area of the former African Queen pub around 4:25 am where she was raped and then robbed.

Locals heard the woman’s screams and called the police. The attacker had already fled down East India Dock Road by the time officers had arrived.

The police described the attack as an extremely violent sexual attack.

The attacker was described as black and wearing a hooded top.

She was taken to a HAVEN victims’ support group and is receiving support from a specially-trained officer within the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command.

The police are urging anyone with any information to call the police on 020 8733 6545 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.