A man has been arrested in connection with the sexual assault of two women outside a school in north London. The attack took place at a bus stop between 5.55pm and 6.15pm on Sunday, 2 February.
Incident details
According to police reports, a man allegedly approached and sexually assaulted the two victims before they managed to escape. Both women, described as white and in their early to mid-20s, fled the scene before officers arrived.
The suspect, a man in his 50s, was later arrested in connection with the attack. At the time of his arrest, he was wearing a beige jacket and a dark scarf. However, he has since been released pending further investigation.
Appeal for witnesses
Detective Sergeant Thomas Barnes, who is leading the investigation in Islington, has urged the victims to come forward.
“While we understand the impact of incidents like this—and how difficult it can be to talk about—our officers are on hand to provide specialist support, so we urge these two women to come forward with any information.”
Police are also appealing to the public for assistance in tracing the two victims, as their statements could be crucial to the ongoing investigation. The women have been described as one blonde and one brunette.
Authorities are keen to speak with anyone who may have witnessed the attack or seen the suspect in the area around the time of the incident.
Community concern
The attack has raised concerns among local residents, particularly given its proximity to a school. Parents and community members have expressed alarm over the safety of public spaces, particularly for young women.
A local resident, who wished to remain anonymous, told reporters:
“It’s terrifying to think something like this happened so close to where children are every day. We need to make sure our streets are safe for everyone, and I hope the police catch whoever is responsible.”
The Met Police have reassured the public that additional patrols will be in place in the area as part of their ongoing efforts to improve safety.
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How to help
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the police on 101, quoting reference 0543/02FEB. Alternatively, those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Authorities stress the importance of speaking out, particularly for the victims involved, to ensure that justice is served and that further incidents can be prevented.
Rising concerns over sexual violence
This incident comes amid growing concerns over sexual violence and public safety in London. Campaigners have called for increased measures to protect women, particularly in public spaces.
Charities advocating for survivors of sexual violence emphasise that attacks of this nature can have long-lasting psychological effects. They urge victims to seek support, regardless of whether they choose to report the crime to the police.
A spokesperson for Rape Crisis England & Wales said:
“Nobody should feel unsafe when travelling or simply waiting at a bus stop. We encourage victims to seek support and know that help is available.”
Next steps
The Met Police have confirmed that investigations are ongoing and that CCTV footage from the area is being reviewed. Officers are also appealing for any dashcam or mobile phone footage that may assist in identifying the suspect or confirming details of the attack.
With the case still open, authorities continue to stress the importance of any information—no matter how small—that could help bring justice to the victims.
