Daylight rape in Holland Park

A 17-year-old girl was dragged off the street in daylight and raped at knifepoint in Holland Park, police revealed today.

Detectives say the girl was walking home when she was grabbed and frogmarched with a knife at her throat into undergrowth in the park where she was attacked.

The attack took place at 3pm yesterday when, say police, the popular west London area would have been busy with people strolling and walking dogs.

Detectives described the attack as "unbelievable" and appealed urgently for anyone with information to contact them.

They say the assailant and his victim might have appeared to be an innocent couple as they were walking along, although the man had his arm around her and was threatening her with a knife. The victim was grabbed in Holland Walk as she was about to enter the park. She was marched some distance into the park to an unknown spot where she was attacked.

Much of the park remained sealed off today as forensic science teams and search officers combed the area for clues.

The victim is being looked after by her family. A specially-trained police officer is also with her.

Detective Inspector Mike Christensen, of Notting Hill CID, said: "This was a horrific and unbelievable attack in broad daylight in a public park on a vulnerable young woman. She suffered a terrifying ordeal which has left her deeply shocked and traumatised.

"There must have been people in the park, people walking dogs and in the cafe. Some people may have seen something they thought was innocent at the time but anyone who thinks they may have seen anything, I urge them to call us."

The victim was wearing jeans and casual clothes. Today she was too upset to be interviewed by police.

The incident follows a brutal mugging in the park three weeks ago which left an 18-year-old man with serious head injuries. He remains unconscious in hospital.

Anyone with information should call Notting Hill CID on 020 8246 0156 or ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.