A second female has been stabbed in Wapping Woods in broad daylight.
The attack occurred at 12:25pm on Saturday 29 December at the north side of Wapping Woods near Garnet Street on the footpath leading towards The Highway.
The woman, aged 26 was forced into bushes by a man with a knife, who stabbed her three times before running away towards The Highway.
The woman who suffered serious injuries, which have since been confirmed as non life threatening was taken to hospital by London’s Air Ambulance who were seen circling over Wapping.
The attacker is described by the victim as being an Asian man, aged around 30 years, 5ft 6ins – 5ft 7ins in height, with gelled messy hair and light stubble, and he was wearing denim jeans and a dark jacket.
Following up a report on Facebook we attended the crime scene at 4pm and found it taped off whilst a police forensic team examined the area and took photographs.
Forensics photograph the crime scene at the north end of Wapping Woods
Forensics photograph the bushes at the north end of Wapping Woods where the woman was attacked
The path leading from The Highway to Wapping Woods has been sectioned off by a Police forensic team
The path leading north from Wapping Woods to The Highway has been sectioned off by a Police forensic team
This is the second violent attack in Wapping Woods this month.
At 6:30pm on Tuesday 4 December 2012, a 38 year old woman was mugged and stabbed in Wapping Woods [view post] and described her attacker as an Asian male aged 18-22, between 5ft 2ins – 6ft in height with a chubby build and short black straight hair with a brushed forward fringe. He was wearing a dark, unzipped hoodie with light tassels, and jeans.
The incidents are being treated by Police as potentially related because of the similarity in the descriptions given by the the two women and the circumstances of the attacks.
Please help share this appeal for information on Facebook, Twitter and with neighbours who do not use the Internet and may have seen something in Wapping Woods [view map] on Saturday 29th December at around 12:25pm.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Violent Crime Unit on 0207 275 4546 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Official advice from the Police following the incident was for single women and anyone feeling vulnerable to avoid the area and they will be in contact with residents soon about future changes.
[update 31/12/2012 - Police confirm a 32-year old man has been arrested in connection with the stabbings: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-20878038].
[update 2/1/2013 - The arrested man, Sijil Miah aged 32 from Shadwell has been charged with two counts of attempted murder and possession of a knife www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-20895800].
Following a number of muggings during recent years and now a second violent stabbing in broad daylight this month, this does raise questions as to if Wapping Woods is becoming a no-go area for ordinary residents.
