POLICE have sought to reassure women living near the site of a shocking daylight rape last week, with advice to keep themselves safe while out alone.

A 29-year-old woman was raped in a clearing in the woods behind High View Road in South Woodford at around 2:50pm last Wednesday (May 19).

The victim was reportedly sunbathing in the area, which is a popular route for dogwalkers and cyclists, then she saw the attacker loitering on his mountain bike around 30 minutes before she was attacked.

DI Declan Williams, who is leading the investigation, said: “Incidents of this nature are rare but understandably can cause great concern to the local community.

“We would like to reassure the community that the Metropolitan Police takes all allegations of rape and sexual assault extremely seriously.

“The investigation into this incident continues, led by dedicated officers from the Metropolitan Police Sapphire team based at Barkingside.”

A 17-year-old man was arrested on Thursday evening in Enfield, before being bailed to return to police on a date in June pending further investigation.

Police have also reiterated a number of things people can do to stay safe:

- Think ahead and plan your journey, avoiding deserted areas.
- Avoid walking alone at night, and keep to well-lit main roads where possible.
- Avoid short cuts like alleyways, waste ground and wooded, bushy areas. If walking through a park, stay on well-lit, main paths where other people are around.
- If you regularly jog and/or cycle, try to vary your route and time.
- Stay alert and be aware of what's going on around you.
- Let someone know where you are going, your intended route and when you expect to return.
- Try to avoid wearing headphones - your ability to hear traffic, strangers or potential trouble is severely restricted.
- If you are using your mobile phone stay alert to those around you.
- If you have a personal attack alarm carry it in your hand to use immediately if necessary.
- If you think someone is following you, check by crossing the street, more than once if necessary, to see if the person follows. If you are still worried, get to the nearest place where there are other people and call the police.
- Walk facing the traffic so a car cannot pull up behind you unnoticed.
- If a car stops and you are threatened, scream and shout, and set off your personal attack alarm if you have one. Run away in the opposite direction to which the car is facing so that it is difficult for them to follow you.
- Don’t hitch-hike or take lifts from strangers.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the incident room on 020 8345 3562, or to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.