Police Allay Fears After Dundonald Recreation Ground Incident


Investigations reveal incident was not a "stranger attack"

Police have allayed fears of local women after reports that a 34-year-old woman was raped in Wimbledon in the early hours of October 25.

The incident was reported to have taken place at around 1.30am in Dundonald Recreation Ground, Dundonald Road. The woman called police half an hour later and told officers that she was raped by a man she did not know as she was walking home alone.

Woman Raped in Dundonald Recreation Ground

She was taken to a Haven Sexual Assault Referral Centre. Officers from Sexual Offences, Exploitation & Child Abuse Command are investigating.

No arrests have been made and police today said that, while investigations were continuing, their initial concerns that it was a "stranger attack" have been allayed.

Merton's Borough Commander Stuart Macleod said: "The investigation is still at a very delicate stage and it's difficult to comment much on the incident without either prejudicing the investigation or potentially misleading and/or further alarming the public, perhaps unnecessarily.
 
"The investigation was taken on by our Specialist Sexual Investigation Team and I am satisfied that the investigation has been very thorough and professional.

"I have spoken personally with the Senior Investigating Officer and I am pleased to be able to say that, whilst the investigation is still ongoing, enquiries to date have moved the investigation along to a point where the investigators initial concerns that this was a 'stranger' attack have been allayed. The Senior Investigator is also grateful for the assistance provided by the local community as this has greatly helped in moving the investigation along.
 
"In light of this, I do not feel that there is any current need to provide specialist advice around how people should protect themselves. Local residents should continue with their normal lifestyle and take their usual precautions.
 
"I am sorry that I can't be more specific at this time, however the investigation continues and I need to be mindful of that as well.”

Anyone with information or witnesses is asked to call 020 8721 4106 or the police non-emergency line on 101.

 

 

 

November 12, 2015