Jogger attacker hunt stepped up

Mobile police stations have been placed around the park

Detectives investigating an attack on a woman jogger have returned to the park where it took place a week ago.

The 39-year-old woman was kicked and stabbed by the assailant who shouted abuse at her in Clissold Park, Stoke Newington, north London on 5 December.

Mobile police stations have been set up around the park to encourage potential witnesses to come forward.

Police have linked the attack to the murder of jogger Margaret Muller on 3 February.

The 27-year-old was stabbed 49 times in Victoria Park, Tower Hamlets - less than two miles from Clissold Park.

Police are examining 1,000 hours of CCTV footage taken from cameras placed on buildings around Clissold Park.

Detective Chief Superintendent Jon Shatford, who is leading the hunt for the attacker, said: "Officers are working shifts 24 hours a day examining every single frame."

On Thursday, a close friend of the victim, Maurice Biriotti, read a statement on her behalf.

Weapon not found

He said she had endured a terrible attack which had turned her life upside down.

But he said: "She is a fighter and someone who we all feel we admire and respect.

"We feel she has the strength to pull through."

Police believe the man will attack again if he is not arrested.

They say the weapon used, which has not been found, could be a knife as long as seven inches.

Description of attacker

The attacker is described as being in his late teens or early 20s, slim with "teenage facial hair" and angular features.

He wore a hooded top and had a rucksack at the time of the attack.

Mr Shatford also said the man knows the area very well.

Clissold Park is not expected to reopen until Monday, once police have completed a forensic investigation of the area.