Bethnal Green and Bow MP Rushanara Ali has spoken of her worries about a series of sexual assaults in Tower Hamlets, saying that “violence and abuse against women are horrific crimes that have no place in our society”.
Ali went on: “I was disturbed to hear about this case of indecent exposure and sexual assault. These incidents highlight once again the continued threat of violence faced by women in our communities. The government needs to take urgent action to ensure women’s safety and protection against violence.”
Her comments came in response to an appeal from the Metropolitan Police for help tracking down a man who is thought to have cycled up to victims and exposed himself or sexually assaulted them.
The Met Police have said the man they are seeking “is known to wear a mask whilst committing offences, and was seen wearing a black zip hoody, grey joggers with a thick black stripe from hip to knee, and was potentially wearing a bike lock around his neck and a chequered baseball cap… the suspect’s bike is described as black and silver”.
The first incident took place at around 11.05am on August 30 at Upper North Street, followed by three incidents on August 31 at around 10.20pm on Watts Grove, around 10.25pm on Burdett Road and around 11.45pm on St Stephen’s Road.
The next incident took place on September 2 at around 6.45pm on Navigation Road.
This was followed by an incident on September 12 at around 1.30am on Commercial Road near Albert Gardens. The seventh incident took place on September 28 at around 11.40pm on Burdett Road.
Police said that they had increased foot patrol in these areas as a response to the reoccurring incidents.
Police are appealing for information related to these offences, including for any potential victims who have not yet come forward, so that they can be supported by specialised officers.
People are asked to call 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD286/29SEP21 if they recognise the man in this image.