A woman has been raped in broad daylight by a “man with a knife” in Burgess Park.

The woman in her 20s reported that she had been raped between 9.30am and 10.15am on Friday, May 26.

She reported that she was approached by the man while she was sitting on a bench in the park.

The man asked her personal questions and then made sexual comments toward her.

The victim then walked away from the man but he began to follow her.

She ran from him and tried to hide in a nearby Coburgh nature reserve.

The man, who appeared to have a knife, followed her into the nature reserve where he raped her.

He is described as black, in his late 20s to early 30s and had a scar under his eye on the left side of his face.

He had dark eyes, bushy eyebrows and was of a larger build.

The man spoke with a deep voice and had a London accent.

He had a close cut beard.

At the time of the rape, he was wearing a black durag-type cap/hat with black jogging bottoms with no visible logo with zips on the pockets.

Police ask that anyone who has information that could help the investigation call police on 101 or via Twitter @MetCC and give reference CAD 2579/26MAY.

To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Detective Constable Timea Fazekas, leading the investigation, said: “This was a truly horrific incident for the victim and she is being fully supported by officers specially trained to investigate sexual offences.

“Despite this undoubtedly terrifying ordeal the victim is able to recall significant details about the attacker.

“I ask members of the public to consider this description and speak to us if you think you know who the man could be.

"Similarly, if you were in the park at the time and perhaps and remember seeing a man matching this description, or anything out of the ordinary, please get in touch with us without delay.”

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “Detectives are appealing to the public for information after a woman reported she was raped by an unknown man in Burgess Park, SE5.

“Police launched an investigation after a woman in her 20s reported she had been raped between about 09:30hrs and 10:15hrs on Friday, 26 May.

“The victim reported she had been approached by a man as she sat on a bench in the park.

“The man asked the victim personal questions before then making comments of a sexual nature toward her.

“The victim walked away from the man who followed her.

“She then ran from the man and attempted to hide in a nearby Coburgh nature reserve.

“The man, who intimated he had a knife, followed her into the nature reserve where the assault took place.

“The man is described as black, in his late 20s to early 30s and had a scar under his eye on the left side of his face.

“He had dark eyes, bushy eyebrows and was of a larger build.

“He spoke with a deep voice and had a London accent.

“He had a close cut beard.

“At the time of the incident he was wearing a black durag type cap/hat with black jogging bottoms with no visible logo with zips on the pockets.

“Anyone who has information that could help the investigation is asked to call police on 101 or via Twitter @MetCC.

“And give reference CAD 2579/26MAY.

“To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.”