Police are appealing for a man who intervened to protect three women from harassment in Camden to come forward as a key witness to an alleged robbery and sexual assault.
Officers were called at around 8am on Wednesday, 14 January, following reports that a man had attempted to rob and sexually assault a group of women on Camden High Street. The women were initially spoken to by attending officers, but the unknown man’s involvement was only discovered later when CCTV footage was reviewed as part of the investigation.
Sergeant Max Pennington, who is leading the investigation, has publicly praised the intervention. According to Sgt Pennington, “this man saw three women being subjected to attention from an intoxicated man that was clearly unwanted”.
“He could have kept on walking, but instead he repeatedly placed himself between the women and the man, putting his safety on the line to do so,” he said. “He didn’t just stop to help, he stayed until he knew the women were safe. He should be proud of his actions.”
Sgt Pennington stressed that investigators “want to thank him for his heroic actions but also believe he is a key witness who has important information which could assist with our investigation.”
The sergeant appealed directly to the man, saying: “If he sees this, I’d urge him to come forward. If anyone else sees this and knows his identity, please get in touch with us or encourage him to do so.”
The man is described as white, of average build, with a short brown beard. He was wearing a light cream jacket, dark trousers, brown shoes, and carrying a green rucksack. He was also wearing a distinctive red beanie hat featuring a yellow logo at the time of the incident.
The intervention took place just outside Miniso, a shop located at the junction of Camden High Street and Inverness Street.
Police are also appealing for anyone else who was in or near Camden High Street around 8am on 14 January who may have witnessed anything suspicious to come forward.
Members of the public with information have been asked to call 101 and quote reference 01/7057429/26 when contacting police.
