An eleven-year-old girl has undergone surgery after being dragged into a park and sexually assaulted for a number of hours.

Police say the man followed the girl after she got off a bus in Bury Street, Enfield at 5pm on Friday after school.

The victim crossed Galliard Road when she realised she was being followed but was dragged into Jubilee Park and attacked.

Police have described the man as black with afro hair, wearing a dark grey top and black baggy jeans.

Detective Inspector Simon Ellershaw said: "It's a brutal attack on a defenceless 11-year-old girl. 

"She's still in hospital and has had to have surgery. She is being supported by her family and of course I'm hoping she will be able to make a full recovery.

"She says the attack happened for some considerable time - possibly in the region of two to three hours. She got home at about 8pm.

"I am appealing to motorists, pedestrians and anyone who may have been using the park between 4.45pm and 8pm.

"She  crossed the road a couple of times and was then was dragged into a park and subjected to a brutal sex attack.

"These incidents are very rare and we are treating it with the utmost seriousness. We are concentrating all our efforts in capturing this individual and we are conducting extra patrols in the area to reassure the public and prevent any further attacks.

"Given the significant and unaccounted amount of time between the incident and the victim's arrival home, we are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have seen her possibly appearing confused or dishevelled following her ordeal.

"It is of the utmost importance that we catch this individual."

As a result of the attack police say there will be high visibility police presences around schools this week.

Any witnesses or anyone with information that could assist police should call the incident room on 020 8345 4326 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.