Detectives investigating the rape of a woman in South Oxhey are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward and speak to police.
The incident occurred sometime between 6.30 and 8pm on Sunday, May 16, on a path in a wooded area that runs alongside the stream adjacent to Prestwick Road.
The victim, a woman in her 50s, was walking when she fell over and lost consciousness. Sometime later, she woke up beside a tree and made her way home.
Detective Inspector Michael Macbeth, who is overseeing the investigation, said: “The victim has been left understandably traumatised by what happened and has only just felt able to consent to this media appeal being released.
“She is being supported by specially-trained officers in our Sexual Offences Investigation Team (SOIT) at what continues to be an extremely difficult time for her.
“We were first made aware of this incident on Monday, May 24 and have been carrying out extensive enquiries ever since, and now we are extending our investigation by involving the public.
“The victim believes she saw a couple of people in the distance when she regained consciousness, so we are keen to try and identify them. If you were walking in the area around the times stated, and you saw anything unusual, please contact us as you are likely to have information which could greatly assist our investigation.”
He added: “We are aware of some concern among residents that there has been a series of attacks on women in the local area, but I can confirm that this is the only report of this nature that we have received. We are not linking this incident to any other reports and are treating it as a standalone case.
You can report information online at herts.police.uk/report, speak to an operator in the Force Communications Room at herts.police.uk/contact or call the non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference 41/38743/21.
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