London police search for two Bangladeshi men over 2024 rape of 13-year-old

British police have launched a search for two Bangladeshi men for their suspected involvement in the alleged rape of a 13-year-old girl in Bethnal Green, east London, in August 2024.

Police identified the suspects as Bangladeshi nationals Showkoth Ahmed, 31, and Jahidul Hassan Jaigirdar, 34, whom detectives want to trace and question as part of the ongoing investigation, reports The Sun.

The investigation began on 1 August 2024, after police received a report that the 13-year-old girl had been raped.

Showkoth, who has links to Tower Hamlets, is believed to be still living in the UK, while Jahidul, who also has connections to the borough, is believed to have travelled to Bangladesh, Detective Chief Inspector Anna Deighton, who is leading the investigation, told the media.

Detectives have released photographs of both men and renewed their appeal for information. Police said both suspects were believed to have fled on the day of an earlier public appeal, adding that extensive efforts were underway to locate them.

According to the report, the girl told police she had seen two men on Whitechapel Road who led her to Weavers Fields, where the alleged assault took place. A member of the public later found and assisted her.

Since then, detectives have reviewed CCTV camera footage, conducted forensic examinations, spoken to potential witnesses, and maintained regular contact with the girl and her family to ensure proper support and safeguarding.

Deighton urged anyone with information about the men’s whereabouts or anything that could assist the investigation to contact police immediately. She also appealed to the two men to come forward.

Alexa Loukas, regional manager for London at Crimestoppers, said locating the two men was crucial to advancing the investigation.

She urged anyone with information, however insignificant it might seem, to contact the charity, assuring them that their identities would remain anonymous.

Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.