Islington attempted rape – reward of up to £10,000 offered for information

The man police want to speak toWe at Crimestoppers (a charity, independent of the police) are offering a reward of up to £10,000 for information concerning an attempted rape and physical assault in Islington.

The incident took place around 3:20 am on Friday, 4 July when the victim, who is in her early 20s, was approached by a man in the Essex Road area.

He began walking alongside her and harassing her before he dragged her into the entrance of a building on Church Road, where he physically assaulted her and attempted to rape her.

Two members of the public heard the woman shouting for help during the attack and intervened. The suspect was last seen fleeing towards Angel.

The police have spoken to one of these witnesses and are keen to speak to the other.

Metropolitan Police Detective Chief Inspector Paul Ridley announced the reward on Tuesday, 20 October when he appeared on BBC’s Crimewatch Live.

CCTV footage has been released of a man police would like to identify and speak to in connection with the investigation:

Do you have information about the identiy and location of this man? You can tell us what you know and remain 100% anonymous - guaranteed.

Call free any time of the day or night, on 0800 555 111, or fill in our quick and secure online form, here on our website:

Give information anonymously

The man pictured in the CCTV is described as being of average build and approximately 5ft 8ins to 6ft tall. He had short hair or a shaved head at the time and was wearing a distinctive tie-dye T-shirt featuring blue and pink streaks. He also has a distinctive tattoo on his left arm:

DCI Ridley said: “The victim continues to be supported by specialist officers, but this attack has understandably had a devastating impact on her day-to-day life.

“While our priority remains identifying and tracing the man shown in the CCTV images, we are also keen to speak to the member of the public who bravely intervened and restrained the attacker for a short time before he made off.

“He is described as a white man in his late teens or early 20s, with an athletic build and curly ash-blonde hair.

“He may have crucial information which can support our enquiries, and I would like to make a direct appeal to him to get in touch with police via 101 quoting CAD 1303/4JUL26 if he sees this.

“We’ve conducted extensive enquiries using a range of investigative tools, but we need to trace the man in the CCTV footage, and we believe the public can help us do that. If you recognise him, please contact Crimestoppers. The information you provide could help bring a victim justice and you could receive a reward of up to £10,000.”

"This was a violent and distressing attack that has had a significant impact on the victim, and our thoughts remain with her.

"Through this reward we hope to encourage anyone who knows who this man is, or who has information that could help identify him, to come forward. Even information that may seem insignificant could be the missing piece that detectives need.

"We understand that some people may feel uncomfortable speaking directly to the police. As an independent charity, Crimestoppers gives people another option. Anyone contacting us can pass on information completely anonymously. We do not ask for personal details, and no one will know you contacted us.

"A reward of up to £10,000 is available for information given exclusively to Crimestoppers that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible."

Alexa Loukas, Crimestoppers' London Regional Manager

Crimestoppers is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We cannot trace your call or track your IP address. No one will ever know you contacted us. Computer IP addresses are never traced. Calls to 0800 555 111 are not recorded. There is no caller ID (no 1471 facility), meaning your phone number is invisible 

This means no police, no courts, no witness statements. You may think your information is insignificant - however, it could make all the difference.

Anonymity: 

We guarantee complete anonymity, meaning that people who call or contact us online can pass on what they know without ever giving any personal details. Computer IP addresses are never traced. Telephone calls are never recorded, there is no caller line display and no 1471 facility.

Claiming a reward: 

The reward will only be payable for information passed directly to Crimestoppers and not to the police. A reward code must be asked for when calling us on 0800 555 111. If you contact our charity via our online form anonymously, the 'keeping in contact’ facility must be used, and a reward code must be requested on your initial contact with us.
 
Read more about our rewards process – at the heart of which is ensuring you stay 100% anonymous.
 

Call free on 0800 555 111 any time, day or night, or fill in our quick and easy online form, here on our website:

Give information anonymously

20 October 2026