Leytonstone community reacts to daylight sex attack (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Leytonstone community reacts to daylight sex attack

4:24pm Thursday 10th December 2009 in

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A COMMUNITY is in shock following the rape of a schoolgirl in broad daylight.

The 12-year-old was dragged off the street and raped in a front garden in Worsley Road, Leytonstone, at 8.25am on Tuesday.

A 19-year-old man was arrested and remains in police custody.

Leytonstone resident Zoe Wright, 22, a fashion buyer of Mornington Road, said: “I am horrified. The fact that she was 12 and it happened in daylight not far from where I live is terrible.

“It has definitely made be more cautious. And I have phoned my friends and told them to be careful.”

Cllr Ed Northover, Conservative parliamentary candidate for Leyton and Wanstead, said: "I live in the adjacent road to where this terrible incident took place so it has come as something of a shock.

"Nobody expects incidents like this to happen, especially in broad daylight on a bright Tuesday morning.

"Obviously we don't know the full facts and as yet nobody has been charged, but my thoughts and prayers go out to the young girl and her family at this terrible time."

He added: "I think we need to keep on fighting for extra police officers as part of the process of making the streets safer for our residents."

Schools in the area are continuing to advise their students on travelling to and from school safely.

The headteacher of Connaught School for Girls, in Connaught Road, Leytonstone, Ann Betts, said: “We always tell girls to be aware of who is around and to walk, if possible, with friends to and from school. And we talk to them about not wearing headphones, because they cannot hear a thing.

“We also advise our staff as some have to walk to their car, so we encourage them to be aware of their surroundings. Safety is a priority for us here.”

The attacker is described as a black teenager, with a tattoo on his right hand. He rode away on a yellow bicycle and had a dark jacket zipped up over his face.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 8435 340 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.