Man sought in meat cleaver attack

Said Dirir suffers from mental health problems, police said

People are being warned not to approach a man whom police want to speak to in connection with an attack on a woman with a meat cleaver.

Officers said Said Dirir, 30, from Peckham and Camberwell areas in south London, suffers from mental health problems and is believed to be violent.

The 44-year-old victim, who was held in a flat overnight, suffered serious injuries to the head and left hand.

The woman, of Walworth, south-east London managed to escape on Monday.

Detectives are treating the case as attempted murder.

Although the victim's condition is not life-threatening, she may not be able to regain the use of her left hand.

Acting Det Insp Steve Crockett said: "This was a terrifying experience for the victim who suffered many injuries including very nearly losing a hand.

"She will be undergoing medical treatment for many months and possibly years as a result and may never regain full use of the hand."