Harlow: Oakwood Pond incident latest

Tuesday 21 June

A man has appeared in court charged with a number of offences as part of an investigation in Harlow.

It was reported a teenage girl had been approached by a man close to Oakwood Pond, between Upper Park and Fourth Avenue shortly before 4.20pm on Wednesday 15 June.

It was reported that a man then attempted to take her away. Thankfully, she was able to get away.

Luis Palma, 29, of Lower Meadow, Harlow, was charged with kidnapping, sexual assault, and possession of cannabis.

He appeared in Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court yesterday, Monday.

No pleas were entered and Palma was remanded into custody and will next appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on July 18.

A man has been charged in connection with an investigation into an incident in Harlow where a girl was approached.

It was reported a teenage girl had been approached by a man close to Oakwood Pond, between Upper Park and Fourth Avenue shortly before 4.20pm on Wednesday 15 June.

It was reported the man attempted to take her away but, thankfully, she was able to get away.

High visibility patrols have been taking place in the area since the incident and a man was arrested on the morning of 17 June.

That man, 29 year-old Luis Palma, of Lower Meadow, Harlow, has now been charged with kidnapping, sexual assault, and possession of cannabis.

He is due to appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court tomorrow (Monday 20 June).

Temporary Chief Inspector Terry Fisher said:

“I know this incident will have caused concern in the community but incidents like this are extremely rare and we believe this was an isolated incident.

“A dedicated team of specialist officers and staff are continuing to support the girl and her family.

“If you have any concerns or information about this incident, please contact us.”

If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.

You can let us know by submitting a report online or by using our Live Chat service.

Live Chat is an online service available on our website Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 10am-9pm, where you can send and receive real-time direct messages with an online digital 101 operator.

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Alternatively you can call us on 101.

To find out more about the different reporting services visit our #HelpUsHelpYou page. 

12.15pm Friday 17 June

Detectives investigating an incident close to Oakwood Pond, in Harlow, have arrested a man.

Officers who had been proactively patrolling the area as part of our response to the incident made the arrest shortly before 10am this morning.

An investigation was launched after we received a report that a teenage girl was approached from behind by a man close to Oakwood Pond, between Upper Park and Fourth Avenue shortly before 4.20pm on Wednesday 15 June.

The man then attempted to take her away. Thankfully she was able free herself and flee the area.

She is unharmed and safe. Both her and her family are being supported by specialist officers from the force.

The man, aged 29 and from Harlow, was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and sexual assault.

He remains in custody for questioning.

At this early stage, we believe there is no further threat posed to the community in Harlow.

The arrest comes after a number of accounts were provided to us by witnesses and those who live near to where the incident took place and we would like to thank those who came forward to speak to us.

We continue to urge anyone with information on the incident to come forward.
A dedicated portal has been set up where information can be submitted securely.

Click here to provide information. 

5.30pm Thursday 16 June

Detectives are continuing to investigate an incident in Harlow which was reported to us shortly before 4.20pm yesterday, Wednesday 15 June.

It was reported to us that a teenage girl was approached from behind by a man close to Oakwood Pond, between Upper Park and Fourth Avenue.

He then attempted to take her away. Thankfully she was able free herself and flee the area.

She is unharmed and safe. Both her and her family are being supported by specialist officers from the force.

The man is believed to have left the area in the direction of Canons Brook.

There continues to be a significant policing presence in the area today as officers piece together the circumstances around the incident.

The man is described as black, skinny, aged in his early 20s, and about 5ft 10ins tall.

He has black hair, some facial hair and he was wearing a dark baseball cap and dark shorts.

We are continuing to appeal to anyone who witnessed the incident, recognises the man described or saw any suspicious activity in the Oakwood Pond yesterday afternoon to come forward and speak to us as soon as possible.

Detective Inspector Daniela Hogan, who is leading the investigation, said:

“This incident would have been very frightening for the victim, who showed such bravery in freeing herself and fleeing the area.
“We are treating this incident very seriously and there continues to be a significant policing presence in the area this evening as investigations continue to be carried out. That includes viewing CCTV and carrying out house-to-house enquiries.
“The incident happened in an area where we expect there would have been other people present who either saw or heard something.
“I need anyone who saw a teenage girl in distress or a man matching the description in this area to get in touch with my team.
“I am acutely aware that an incident of this nature will naturally cause concern among the community in Harlow, but we have a team of specialist detectives working to piece together what happened in order to identify the person responsible.”

If you have any information, please submit it here on a dedicated online portal.

You can also call us on 101, quoting incident 753 of June 15.

10pm Wednesday 15 June

We are appealing for witnesses to get in touch following an assault in Harlow. It was reported a teenage girl was assaulted close to Oakwood Pond shortly before 4.20pm yesterday, Wednesday 15 June.

The suspect is described as a skinny black man, aged in his early 20s, and around 5ft 10ins tall. He had a black afro beard, some facial hair and he was wearing a dark baseball cap and dark shorts. It is believed the suspect left the area in the direction of Canons Brook.

Detective Inspector Daniela Hogan said:

“My officers remain in the Oakwood Pond area this evening, and you can expect to see an increased police presence in the area overnight and into tomorrow morning.
“This assault happened in a busy area, close to a cycle track and a main road in Harlow.“I need anyone who saw a teenage girl in distress or a man matching the description in this area this afternoon to get in touch with my team.
“I appreciate an incident of this nature will cause concern among the community in Harlow, but we have a team of specialist detectives working through the night to progress this fast paced investigation.
”Our enquiries are ongoing, and we are appealing for anyone who witnessed the assault or has information to get in touch."