Police issue CCTV after woman, 27, was stabbed in back in Ilford

Police issue CCTV after woman, 27, was stabbed in the back by a man on a bicycle in Ilford, less than two miles from where Zara Aleena was killed two weeks ago

  • A woman, 27, has been stabbed in the back by a man on a bicycle in Ilford
  • She was taken to hospital with non life-threatening or life-changing injuries
  • Police have released images of the suspect with a distinctive green bicycle 
  • It comes two weeks after the murder of Zara Aleena on Cranbrook Road, Ilford

Police have issued CCTV footage after a woman, 27, was stabbed in the back by a man on a bicycle in Ilford, less than two miles from where Zara Aleena was killed two weeks ago.

Police were called out at approximately 8.05pm on Friday, 8 July, to reports of the stabbing in St Johns Road.

The woman was found by officers with stab wounds to her back, and was taken to hospital the injuries were deemed to not be life-threatening or life-changing. 

Detectives from the Met’s East Area CID are investigating, and have appealed for any witnesses or anyone with information to contact them.

Chief Inspector Chris Byrne, East Area BCU, said: ‘I know that this attack on a woman, coming so soon after the tragic murder of Zara Aleena, will be of great concern to Londoners and particularly to people in Ilford. 

Detectives have released images of a suspect they’re working to trace after a 27-year-old woman was stabbed in the back by a man on a bicycle

‘Of course, my colleagues and I share those concerns and we are working hard to do everything possible to keep people safe.

‘The woman was attacked by a male riding a bicycle, who rode away in the direction of Meads Lane, Ilford. 

‘Anyone who recognises the person in the images circulated is urged to call police immediately. 

‘One image shows the suspect in Meads Lane around the time of the attack.’

The suspect is pictured in black clothing and a black bag, with a white and black bicycle helmet and a distinctive green bicycle.

‘Local people will have seen more police officers in the Ilford area since the murder of Zara Aleena two weeks ago,’ Chief Inspector Byrne added.

‘We have deployed additional resources to the local area including officers who specialise in tackling violent crime. 

The suspect is pictured in black clothing and a black bag, with a white and black bicycle helmet and a distinctive green bicycle

‘We will continue to adjust our plans to ensure that officers are visible and available to support the community this weekend and in subsequent days.

‘If you have any concerns or information, please do speak with those officers.’

Police have not made any arrests in relation to the attack, and are continuing their enquiries.

Anyone with information about the attack is asked to call 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD7258/8Jul. 

Anonymous reports can be made to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Last month, the heartbroken relatives of a law graduate who was ambushed and beaten to death in an ‘opportunist stranger attack’ spoke of their anguish.

Zara Aleena, 35, died from severe head injuries after she was attacked in the street while walking home from a night out with friends in the early hours of Sunday, June 26. 

PICTURED: Aspiring lawyer Zara Aleena, 35, was murdered in the early hours of Sunday, June 26 in Ilford, East London

Miss Aleena’s cousin described her as a ‘bubbly, high-empathy person’ and said the family were devastated.  

Horrified neighbours also revealed how they heard loud screams following the attack on Cranbrook Road, Ilford. 

The next day, police announced that a man, 29, was arrested on suspicion of her murder.

Local MP Sam Tarry said the murder was a ‘random attack’ and also tried to assure the public that there will be a ‘flood of police on the streets’. 

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan also said he was ‘heartbroken’ by the death of Zara. 

The Met closed Cranbrook Road and put a cordon in place at the scene while urging women to be ‘alert’ but not ‘alarmed’ by the attack

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