A pensioner was sexually assaulted in broad daylight while she waited for a bus in the Muswell Hill area.

The attack happened while the 79-year-old woman was at a bus stop on Fortis Green, opposite Springcroft Avenue, on Saturday, March 1, at around 10.30am.

A man who was sitting on a fence opposite her started a conversation before sexually assaulting her.

As the attack took place, the victim’s bus - the 102 - arrived and she boarded it but her attacker did not get on.

The man is described as black, around 30 years old, wearing a thick, dark coloured coat with a logo on the right sleeve and light blue jeans.

He also wore a hood or a hat and a scarf.

The bus was travelling towards Muswell Hill from East Finchley.

Detective Constable Alex Peddie of Haringey CID, who leads the investigation, said: “This attack took place in broad daylight on a very busy road.

“Were you in the area at the time of the assault or were you travelling on the route 102 as it pulled into the stop on Fortis Green?

“If you saw anything and can assist this investigation, please contact police.”

Martin Newton, a councillor for Fortis Green, said: “This awful attack is very concerning. I hope that the police will swiftly find the perpetrator.

“Following the closure of Muswell Hill police station there has been a lack of visible police presence on the streets of Fortis Green and Muswell Hill.

“This has been made worse by the Conservative Mayor of London’s decision to cut the size of Safer Neighbourhood Police Teams.

"Haringey Lib Dems will continue to campaign for more police on local streets and a police contact point in Muswell Hill.”

Anyone with information should contact DC Peddie at Wood Green CID on 0203 276 3071 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.