Police investigating the rape of an 11-year-old girl in a park during the Friday rush-hour are urging witnesses to come forward.

The schoolgirl was raped for up to three hours in Jubilee Park in Lower Edmonton after getting off the 192 bus in Bury Street at approximately 5pm.

She was on her way back from school when she was dragged from Galliard Road into the pitch and putt area of the park and assaulted.

Detective Inspector Simon Ellershaw, who is leading the investigation, said: "This was a horrific and unusual attack of a defenceless school girl making her way home via her usual route, along one of Enfield's busiest shortcuts, at the beginning of Friday afternoon rush-hour.

"At present an extensive search of the park is underway and local officers are conducting house-to-house enquiries, and we have already been receiving helpful information from members of the public."

"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. All calls will be treated in the utmost confidence."

Police would like to speak to motorists, pedestrians and anyone who may have visited the park between 4.45pm and 8pm and may have seen a man following a girl in school uniform.

The entire park was cordoned off this morning while officers investigated the crime scene.

Chief Inspector Taylor Wilson said: "Over the course of the weekend police have been working using every resource available to support the victim, identify the suspect and provide a police response to increase confidence and provide reassurance to residents.

"Although this is an isolated and extremely rare incident, we are treating this with the utmost seriousness.”

Chief Insp Taylor said officers have increased patrols at Jubilee Park and there will be a high police presence around schools and parks throughout the borough.

He added the police from Edmonton Police Station are working hard to identify the suspect as well as support the victim and her family.

The victim alerted her family after returning home between 7.45pm and 8pm.

She is now recovering in hospital.

A 26-year-old man was arrested today at an address in Edmonton on suspicion of raping an 11-year-old girl in a Lower Edmonton park.

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.