Horror as woman attacked in alley after being followed off London bus

The man police are wanting to speak to - (Hets Constabulary)

A teenager was seriously injured after being attacked by a man who may have followed her off a London bus and assaulted her in an alleyway.

Police are searching for a male suspect who assaulted the 19-year-old woman on Berkley Avenue in Waltham Cross and have released an image of a person they want to question.

Hertfordshire Constabulary said the woman got off the 217 bus at around 7:45 pm on December 30. Investigators believe the suspect may have been on the bus, which runs from Turnpike Lane to Waltham Cross via Tottenham and Enfield.

The man reportedly followed the woman before attacking her in an alleyway, stopping only when members of the public intervened.

Police said that the victim suffered serious injuries which required hospital treatment.

An alternate picture of the man police want to speak to (Herts Constabulary)

Two images of a man have been released. One shows a figure wearing a dark jacket and hat, standing next to a Christmas tree.

Another photo shows a man, dressed more casually, looking calm and relaxed in jeans and a jacket walking down a footpath.

It has not been disclosed where either photo was taken.

Detective sergeant Paul Dicker, of the Broxbourne Local Crime Unit, said: “We have followed many lines of enquiry during this investigation, and we are now releasing these images.

“We believe the person pictured was in the area around the time and may have vital information for our investigation.

“Is this you? Or do you recognise the person pictured? If so, please get in contact.

“We understand news of this incident will have caused concern in the community and we are working to identify this person.

“In addition, no further incidents of this nature have since been reported in the town.”

You can also report information online at https://orlo.uk/YtWro, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat at https://orlo.uk/RGpbx or call the non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference Op Belmont.

Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org