The incident took place at some point between 4.30pm and 8.45pm on Sunday
By Victoria Munro

The police cordon near Highams Park Lake (credit: Penny Dampier)

Police are investigating after two teenage girls reported being raped and sexually assaulted near Highams Park Lake in Chingford.

The incident is thought to have taken place at some point between 4.30pm and 8.45pm on Sunday, 7th August, and the girls contacted police shortly before 9.30pm that night.

A police cordon appeared around the lake yesterday while forensics investigated at the scene.

(Credit: Penny Dampier)

At the moment, no suspects have been arrested but police enquiries are ongoing and both girls are being supported by specialist officers.

Responding to reports of the incident in the Echo, local MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith wrote: “As a community, we must ensure we have an environment in which women and girls are safe and feel safe to pursue their lives, free from fear and harassment.”

Previously in the Echo, Labour councillor Sebastian Salek, who represents St James ward in Walthamstow, encouraged residents to do their part to keep the borough’s green spaces safe for everyone, particularly women.

The incident was not the only serious crime reported in the borough last weekend.

The previous afternoon, 18-year-old Leytonstone resident Ghulam Sadiq was stabbed to death on his local High Road.

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