Sex attack on schoolgirl, 11, in Enfield park

An 11-year-old schoolgirl was subjected to a "brutal" sex attack in a north London park after getting off her bus.

The girl caught a bus home from school in Enfield town at 16:15 GMT on Friday and got off in Bury Street, Enfield.

While walking along Galliard Road, she was dragged into Jubilee Park by the pitch and putt area and assaulted. She is currently being treated in hospital.

Police described the suspect as a black male with afro hair wearing a dark grey top and black baggy jeans.

The victim returned home at about 19:45 GMT and was then taken to hospital.

Det Insp Simon Ellershaw: "This was a brutal attack on a defenceless 11-year-old girl on her way home from school and I am appealing for the public's help in catching the person responsible.

"We are interested in speaking to anyone who was in the Jubilee Park area between 16:15 and 19:45 on Friday evening, 23 November, and may have seen anyone acting suspiciously or anyone following a girl in school uniform."

Det Insp Ellershaw said the Met was unsure of her movements between these times.

"She says that she was attacked in Jubilee Park. She also says that the attack happened for some considerable time - possibly in the region of two to three hours.

"That still leaves some time unaccounted for."

He said inquiries were trying to account for "that missing time gap as well as trying to identify and arrest the person responsible".

"In her account, she said she was aware that someone was following her, because of that she crosses over Galliard Road on a number of occasions," he added.

"We've been looking for anyone that was in the area at the time, whether they noticed a schoolgirl - she was wearing a school uniform... blazer and skirt - maybe walking slightly in a strange way - crossing the road more than once.

"We'd be looking to know if she was being followed by anybody and if they could describe that person, and equally if anyone's been seen hanging around that park... acting suspiciously."