A THIRD woman has been raped in Harringay over a seven-week period.

The latest victim, in her 30s, was attacked by a man near Harringay Green Lanes railyway station in the early hours of Saturday, January 9.

It follows the rape and robbery of a woman in her 30s on November 21, 2009, in Pemberton Road.

Three weeks later, a second woman in her 30s was sexually assaulted in Mattison Road, Harringay Ladder, at 7am on December 15.

Police revealed details of the January attack in a bid to get witnesses to come forward.

Detectives said the victim was assaulted shortly after 2.40am as she attempted to make her way back to the Harran restaurant where she had been eating with friends after a night out.

She was taken to a cab office opposite Sainsburys by a man who offered her his coat and to pay her cab fare.

Officers said this man was holding "vital information" and are urging him to come forward.

They would also like to speak to two workmen who entered the eatery while the victim was inside with her friend.

Detective Inspector Dan Smith, from Sapphire, the Metropolitan Police's specialist sex offence unit, said: "I would appeal directly to the men mentioned in the appeal to come forward.

"In particular the man who accompanied the victim to a taxi as I'm sure he would remember this and he may well have information which can assist our investigation."

The victim is described as white, in her early 30s with shoulder length brown hair, and was wearing a dark shirt with white cuffs and a dark collar.

Her jumper and trousers were also dark but she was wearing distinctive pink trainers.

Anyone with information or who witnessed the incident is asked to call the Sapphire Unit on 020 8345 4512, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111