Police hunt 'gas-meter' knifeman

A man posing as a gas meter reader who used a Stanley knife to terrorise a young mother in her home is being hunted by police today.

The 24-year-old woman was at home in Northolt with her three-year-old daughter when she answered a knock on her door at 8.45am yesterday.

She was met by a black man, who said he was a representative from a gas company and asked to check the meter.

On being asked for ID, the man - who was wearing fluorescent trousers and jacket, and carried a clipboard - produced some kind of identification and was allowed in.

After looking at the meter he pushed the woman to the ground, causing her to hit her head against the fireplace.

He then attempted to pin her to the floor and at some point put a black-handled Stanley knife to her throat. In the struggle the woman bit him on the left forearm. She believes she will have left some teeth marks or bruising.

The attacker fled the home in Eskdale Avenue in a small white Ford Escort-style van.

Detective Sergeant Mark Maberly, of Ealing police, said the man "poses a threat to lone females" and warned the public not to approach him.

Anyone with information should call 020 8246 1139.