Police have released CCTV footage of two men sought after a 13-year-old girl was allegedly raped in Weavers Fields, Bethnal Green, east London.
The girl told detectives she had seen the men on Whitechapel Road before they persuaded her to follow them into the nearby park. She reported being assaulted there at about 11.30pm on Thursday, August 1, 2024.
She was later found by a member of the public who came to her assistance.
The Metropolitan Police said the investigation had included forensic examinations, witness enquiries and a review of CCTV footage. The newly released video shows two men walking along a street.
One man is described as wearing a black shirt, blue trousers and black shoes. The other was wearing a blue zip-up jacket and black trousers.
The girl’s parents, speaking through the force, said their daughter continued to live in fear and no longer felt comfortable being alone.
“Wherever possible, we accompany her because she simply doesn’t feel safe without us,” they said.
“She should be enjoying her teenage years, spending time with friends, growing in confidence and looking forward to the future. Instead, so much of that has been taken away from her as a result of this incident.”
Detective Chief Inspector Anna Deighton, who is leading the investigation, described it as “an awful attack on a teenage girl who was targeted and subjected to sexual violence”.
“Two years on, our enquiries into this investigation are continuing,” she said. “If you recognise the men in the CCTV we have released with this appeal, please come forward and speak to us.”
Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
Alexa Loukas, the charity’s regional manager for London, said the impact of the crime continued to be felt by the victim and her family. She said people could contact Crimestoppers anonymously without providing their name or personal details.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting reference 01/668295/24, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
