Evening Standard
Police are hunting for four white men over two separate racist attacks on young Asian women as they walked along a residential street in Walthamstow.
The victims were both targeted in Boundary Road within a week of each other.
One woman was injured after being pushed to the floor by a white man on December 5.
Five days later in the same road, another woman was racially abused by three white men on December 10.
Detectives today appealed for witnesses to speak to them about the incidents, which they said “are not being linked” together.
A police spokeswoman said extra police officers would be on patrol in the area to reassure the public.
She added that “false rumours” had been circulated on social media about the attacks.
She said: “Officers from Waltham Forest are investigating and no arrests have been made.
“Incidents of this nature are treated seriously by police. On-going work is taking place to dispel a large number of false rumours currently circulating social media regarding these events.
“Police will continue to work with partners, faith groups and senior stakeholders in order to provide reassurance to residents within the Boundary Road area. There will continue to be a policing presence in Boundary Road over the coming days and engagement by the local neighbourhood team.”
A 17-year-old girl was dragged down a side street and raped by communal bins under a block of flats, police said.
The girl was threatened with a knife after being ambushed from behind by her attacker in Thamesmead, south-east London, according to police.
Detectives said the man, who had covered his face with a scarf, “dragged” her into a bin area in Binsey Walk during the attack at around 7.30 on Tuesday evening.
After raping her he ran off towards Harrow Manor Way, according to detectives.
Scotland Yard said the man was black and spoke with a London accent. His victim believed he may have been of African descent due to a number of phrases and mannerisms he used.
The attacker is thought to be around 25, of average build and around 5ft 8ins tall.
Police said he was wearing dark blue jeans and black Addidas trainers with a dark, bulky coat. He was also carrying a black bag.
Police appealed to people living in the area to come forward with any information they may have.
Detective Inspector Neal Burton, said: “This was a terrifying experience for the victim who has been extremely brave in coming forward to report the rape and assisting the investigation team, who are following every available investigative lead to identify and arrest her attacker as soon as possible.”
A robber threatened a 15-year-old boy at a Tube station as he stole £3 from him, police said.
Detectives have released CCTV images of a man they want to speak to in connection with the incident at Wembley Park station.
The teenage victim was allegedly approached as he waited on the northbound Jubilee Line platform at around 8.20am on Sunday, November 16.
Police said the man asked the boy for £1, which the boy gave him.
He is then said to have become aggressive and demanded all the money the teenager had in his wallet.
After the man allegedly threatened the boy with violence, he took the remaining £2 from his wallet and demanded the phone.
The boy then ran away and boarded a train, police said.
Detective Constable Carl Wayte said: “While the amount stolen in this incident was relatively small, the victim felt intimidated and was left in no doubt the man was prepared to use violence.”
Two 19-year-old women have died after a car they were travelling in crashed into a wall in a late night smash.
The women were passengers in the vehicle when the collision happened at around midnight last night, police said.
A 21-year-old man who was driving and another 19-year-old woman passenger are being treated in hospital after the crash in Lyndhurst in the New Forest.
Hampshire Police said their injuries are not life threatening.
A spokesman said: “A member of the public contacted Hampshire Constabulary at midnight this morning when a car collided with a wall on Gosport Lane.
“Two of the passengers were pronounced dead at the scene.”
The road was closed overnight but has now reopened, he added. Boundary Road