A WOMAN was sexually assaulted near where a killer rapist struck less than a month ago.

The victim, 26, was walking down Lynmouth Road at about 8pm on Friday (June 19) when a man approached her and attacked her.

Two men, aged 38 and 24, were arrested after police carried out house-to-house enquiries following the assault.

Police are not treating it as an attempted rape.

The 38-year-old has been released on bail but the 24-year-old remains in custody.

The attack happened close to where 35-year-old Michelle Samaraweera was found raped and strangled but police have confirmed there is no evidence to link the two.

Ms Samaraweera's killer is now known to have raped two other women in the same area, earlier this year.

She was found in a children's playground near Kelmscott Leisure Centre on May 30.

And those living nearby have said they no longer feel safe as they think there is not enough police presence in the area following the murder.

Vicky Wright, 36, a sales manager of Walthamstow, said: "It's just been PCSOs - it doesn't feel like there's much going on.

"There's definitely nervousness - I won't let my mum take my little boy to that park anymore."

She added that she was out jogging shortly before the attack took place when she was approached by an Asian man in a car, who made suggestive comments to her.

"When I told the police, they didn't really take much notice as they said women normally know their attackers," Ms Wright said.

She also said she now fears every man she sees who fits the description of the attacker.

And Jane Smith, 39, who works for Women's Aid and lives only yards from where the attack happened, believes police should be providing more information to women.

She said: "Women are feeling very unsafe - not a lot of information is being filtered through.

"I haven't seen an increase in police in the area. Obviously women are feeling extremely anxious - it's all they're talking about."

She added that she had spoken to the Safer Neighbourhoods Team, who confirmed rape alarms were available for women in Markhouse Ward but in limited supply, prompting her to buy her own.

"There's no photo fit and no one's explained to us why there isn't one," Ms Smith said.

"We have no idea what this man looks like - what they've told us is so broad."

She also said women were afraid to go about their normal routines and were leading "restricted lives".

During the Leytonstone Community Council meeting on Monday, Chief Inspector Colin Parker told concerned residents that extra police have been patrolling the area since the murder, sometimes undercover.

He also confirmed personal attack alarms are being distributed to women in the area.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Marie Pye said: "I want to say how incredibly serious this is for women aged 30 to 60 because that is the age of the womene being attacked. It isn't teenage girls.

"We all still have to go out and get on with our lives but be very careful."

Police are requesting DNA samples from all men who fit the rapist’s description and live within half a mile of where the attacks took place.

He is described as Asian, aged between 30 and 40. Police are still appealing for witnesses and those with information should call 8345 3715 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The 26-year-old's attacker is also described as being of Asian appearance but no further description has been released.

Anyone with information on the latest attack should call 8345 3204 or Crimestoppers as above.