A woman was approached and intimidated by a man in Wandle Park, Colliers Wood, yesterday (Thursday, November 19).

The 21-year-old, who lives in the area, was sat under a willow tree in the park when the suspect approached her and refused all requests to stop.

Police are now investigating the incident and have launched a public information appeal about what happened.

The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Wimbledon Times:

"I was sitting under a willow tree in Wandle Park and I saw a man approach me. He came under the willow tree, and stopped for a second and went out, looked around to see if anyone was there.

"Then he came back under the willow tree. I could see him coming straight at me, approaching me.

"I'm on the phone but I've frozen because I've clocked on that he is definitely approaching me and there is noone else here," she described.

Wimbledon Times:

"I started asking him loudly, and then shouting to get anyone's attention: 'Why are you coming near me?'

"He has literally completely ignored me and continued to walk towards me.

"I'm now screaming at the top of my voice: 'Why are you approaching me? I'm alone in this park, what are you doing coming near me?'

"He was about a metre away and I said: 'If you come any closer I'm calling the police'. He started to come closer so I got up and I ran to the entrance of the park," the woman continued.

She added that "when I realized the severity of it and I was crying my eyes out, petrified."

The incident is the latest in a number of concerning occurrences in Merton recently that included at least two attempted kidnappings, as the Wimbledon Times reported previously.

Police arrived shortly after the woman left the area on Thursday morning, and have launched a public information appeal.

Responding to a request from the Wimbledon Times, a spokesperson said:

"Police were called to reports of a man acting suspiciously in Wandle Park, Colliers Wood, SW19 at 11.57 hrs on Thursday 19th November.

"The man approached a woman by the river. She became uncomfortable and intimated as he refused to move away when asked, so she ran off and contacted the police.

"The man is described as white, 5ft 5ins tall, medium build with brown short hair. He was wearing a black leather jacket, white hoodie, black denim trousers and was carrying a navy rucksack."

Any witnesses, or anyone with information, is asked to call police on 101 quoting CAD:2650, or to contact to Crimestoppers anonymously.