Police are appealing for help to identify a man in connection with a sexual assault in Epping Forest.

At around 9.30am yesterday a woman jogger was grabbed from behind and sexually molested by a man.

The attacker threatened his victim with a knife.

During the struggle the 33-year-old scratched the man’s neck with her door keys.

The woman was wearing black jogging bottoms with a white stripe, a black top with purple on the side and grey and pink training shoes.

Police have described the attacker as a black man, approximately 30-years-old, 5ft 5ins tall and of muscular build. At the time of the incident he was wearing a black short-sleeved t-shirt or top.

Officers guarded an area of Hollow Ponds on Whipps Cross Road yesterday as they searched for evidence.

Police would like to hear from anyone who was in the Hollow Ponds area of Whipps Cross around the time of this incident who saw either the victim or the suspect, as well as anyone who may have information concerning the identity of the man.

Anyone with information should contact Detective Sergeant Lee Taylor, Detective Sergeant Vicky Cullen or Detective Sergeant Will Lexton-Jones of Waltham Forest CID by dialling 101 or calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 4917677/14.