A schoolgirl raped by a hooded stranger wearing shorts and socks in The Grove was with a friend at the time of the attack.

The rapist approached the pair and made her 17-year-old male friend lie down on the playground floor before raping the girl, the lead investigator at the Metropolitan Police has said.

The serious sexual assault happened at 8.30pm on Saturday in Carshalton with police erecting a tent to protect evidence.

It is also now being looked at as being potentially linked to other attacks in the area. Initially they had not linked it, keeping an open mind.

Hooded man rapes teenage girl in park

Schoolgirl attacked after getting off bus in Carshalton


Park users have raised safety fears as the The Grove, though open at night, is not well lit.

DCI Paul Monk said: "She was just in the playground area, playing around with a friend at the time.

"The friend was asked to lay down on the floor and she was raped.

"Everybody involved in this has been affected by this as have the family. It is a difficult time for the families.

"We are working hard to bring this person to justice.

"We have collected CCTV of the area and are reassuring people that, yes it's serious, but also an isolated incident.

"It's a difficult time for the community, but if there were people in the park at the time we would ask them to come forward.

"We have already had some info come through but you can never ask for too much.

"We need to keep a sustained appeal particularly in the first few days."

DCI Monk said the playground was poorly lit at the time as the lights were only along the path.

Following the schoolgirl's rape the Metropolitan Police issued a description of the suspect, saying he was black, aged in his late 20s or early 30s, of broad build and approximately 5ft 10inches tall, wearing a black hooded jacket and shorts.

Police officers continued their investigation today by going to shops in nearby Carshalton High Street handing out leaflets and asking for information surrounding the rape.

DCI Monk said: "There is some lighting there but we're not sure how well they work as they are all by the path.

"We also think that he wasn't wearing any shoes and was just wearing dark coloured socks.

"That's what makes it so distinctive.

"That way people might remember this man if they saw him, if they saw him leaving or entering the park or anything suspicious at all.

"We have recovered evidence, whether that leads to anything is too early to tell at this stage."

Asked if there was any connection between the rape and an attack two days earlier on another schoolgirl DCI Monk said: "Other cases are all under review.

"We are looking at this to see if there are any similarities to see if it is the same person.

"It is one of our main lines of inquiry"

Karen Watts, 52, has been a regular park user for the past 25 years. She said: "As much as you don't want these things to happen what is surprising is that something like this hasn't happened before.

"It's very shocking but there needs to be more lighting.

"It's very dark, there's no lights.

"That is what's needed.

"I walk through the park and at night I don't feel safe.

"I use my phone, to anybody, or if I see other people I follow them.

"All it needs is a bit of lighting.

"The place needs a bit of light, that's all it needs."

The lack of lighting in the park was an issue raised by fellow park users Peter Warwick, 59, of Wallace Crescent, who has used The Grove for 30 years and Rob Frier, of Camden Road.

Mr Warwick said: "You take some risks as kids that you wouldn't when you're older."

"Using the park is not something I like to do at night.

"Not even along the path.

"I would like to see more lighting, you can come in whenever as the park is just left open."

Mr Frier added: "I'm 6ft 2in and 42 years old and I worry about my own safety.

"I come up the path in the evening but it is so dark.

"There are absolutely no lights."

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call officers at the sexual offences, exploitation and child abuse command on 020 8721 4106 or via 101.

Alternatively contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.