Man sought by police after Covent Garden rape

A woman has been raped in a crowded street in a busy tourist area of central London.

Police have released a CCTV image of a man they want to speak to in connection with the attack, which happened in Covent Garden in the early hours of Saturday.

The victim, a woman in her 20s, was approached by a man, who was unknown to her, at about 05:20 BST as she walked through Shaftesbury Avenue, Cambridge Circus and Drury Lane.

He dragged her into a doorway in Macklin Street before raping her.

The woman managed to leave the scene and submitted a report to the police shortly afterwards.

Detectives described the rapist as white and aged between 25 and 35, with short dark hair.

He was wearing a grey hoodie with a dark gilet, casual trousers and trainers. He also had a backpack on.

Det Ch Insp Paul Ridley said the victim continued "to demonstrate tremendous courage" and added that "no woman or girl should feel unsafe on the streets of London".

He appealed to the public to come forward if they saw the assault or recognised the man.

Officers continue to conduct inquiries locally and there will be increased patrols in the area, the Met said.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk