A man tried to rape a 52-year-old woman on Christmas day until being scared away by a passer-by.

Sometime between 3.45am and 4.45am on Tuesday, December 25, 2018, the victim – a 52-year-old woman – was approaching an alleyway, between Edmonton Supermarket and a restaurant on Fore Street, when a man pulled her to the ground and into the alleyway.

He then attempted to rape her.

A  passer-by startled the man, and he then made off back along Fore Street towards Edmonton Green Bus Station.

The suspect is described as being a white male, with short black hair and around 5ft 11ins tall. At the time of the offence, he was wearing a white shirt with blue trousers.

Detective Constable Bruce White, of the Met’s Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command, said: “This despicable incident has left the victim shaken.

"If you have any information that could help us find this man, then please get in touch.

“It is believed that a member of the public passed by at the time incident, and we are particularly keen to speak to this individual as they may have vital information which could assist our investigation.”

Two images have been released by the police of a man they want to speak to in connection to the incident.

If you can identify this man or offer any information to assist the investigation, please contact police on 0208 2177477 or 101 quoting CAD 1721/25DEC18, or tweet @MetCC.