Drivers 'honked car horns' as sex attacker shoved woman to ground and assaulted her in north London street

Barnet: The attempted sex assault happened in York Way, N20.
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Police have launched a manhunt after a woman was followed and shoved to the ground in a terrifying attempted sex assault in north London.

The victim, a woman in her 30s, was grabbed by the shoulders and pushed onto the floor in the broad daylight street attack in Barnet last Thursday.

She kicked out at her attacker as she lay on the ground on her hands and knees while the suspect exposed himself to her.

The woman eventually managed to scramble away and the attacker fled from the scene on York Way in Whetstone.

Police are now investigating the attempted sexual assault, which happened at around 11.50pm on Thursday.

They are hoping to track down a number of cars which passed the attack as it was happening and sounded their car horns in a bid to ward off the attacker.

Police want to hear from drivers who are thought to have passed the scene. 
Andy Hepburn/PA Wire

Detectives said they are eager to hear from these drivers and other members of the public who were in the area at the time.

Following the attack the suspect fled towards Oakleigh Road North.

He is described as a black man in his late teens or early 20s. He was dressed in black Nike trains, black tracksuit bottoms and a black jogging-style top.

Anyone with information is asked to call Barnet CID on 0208 733 4525 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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