London Police Searching for Two Bangladeshis Over Rape of 13-Year-Old in Bethnal Green; £10,000 Reward Offered

Police in the United Kingdom are searching for two Bangladeshi nationals for questioning over the rape of a 13-year-old girl in east London. Public help has been sought to locate them.

The charity Crimestoppers has announced a £10,000 reward for information that helps arrest and convict those involved in the rape.

In a statement on Thursday, London police said the two Bangladeshis are Shawkat Ahmed, 31, and Jahidul Hasan Jaigirdar, 34. Both have links to the Tower Hamlets area of London.

Police believe Shawkat Ahmed is still in the United Kingdom, while Jahidul Hasan may have travelled to Bangladesh.

Police said the rape was reported on the night of August 1, 2024, in the Bethnal Green area of east London. According to the girl's account, she met the two men on Whitechapel Road in London. They then took her to the nearby Weavers Fields park, where she was raped. A passer-by later found her and helped her.

Since the incident, detectives have been investigating in several ways, including reviewing CCTV footage, carrying out forensic examinations and speaking to possible witnesses.

Detective Anna Dayton, who is leading the investigation, said police have carried out extensive inquiries since the report was received. She said police want to locate Shawkat Ahmed and Jahidul Hasan and speak to them, appealed to anyone with information about their whereabouts to contact police, and also asked the two men themselves to get in touch.

Alexa Lucas, Crimestoppers' London regional manager, said the girl had suffered a horrific and psychologically devastating attack. Identifying the two men was progress, she said, but finding them was now important. Even a small piece of information could help the investigation, she said, and information can be given to Crimestoppers anonymously.

London police have released photographs and identities of the two Bangladeshis. Anyone with information about the incident should call 101 quoting reference 01/668295/24, police said. Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.