Police hunt two Bangladeshi men for questioning over rape of 13-year-old girl - with one suspect believed to have fled UK

Police are hunting for two Bangladeshi nationals following the rape of a 13-year-old girl in east London - and one is believed to have fled the UK.Detectives have been trying to track down two men after the girl reported being assaulted in a park in Bethnal Green on August 1, 2024.Officers were alerted to the attack at around 11.30pm, with the girl telling police she had seen two men on Whitechapel Road, and they convinced her to follow them into nearby Weavers Fields where she was raped.She was later found by a member of the public who came to her assistance.Police have today named Showkoth Ahmed, 31, and Jahidul Hassan Jaigirdar, 34, as the men they are seeking to trace.Ahmed is believed to still be in the UK and has links to Tower Hamlets, London.Jaigirdar also has links to Tower Hamlets but is thought to have left the country for Bangladesh. A £10,000 reward is on offer from charity Crimestoppers for any information which leads to their arrest and conviction. Showkoth Ahmed, 31, has links to Tower Hamlets, London and is believed to still be in the UK Jahidul Hassan Jaigirdar, 34, has links to Tower Hamlets but is believed to have returned to BangladeshThe victim's parents released a statement through the Metropolitan Police last month, detailing the 'devastating' impact of the attack.'Our daughter continues to live in fear for her safety and no longer feels comfortable being on her own,' they said.'Wherever possible, we accompany her because she simply doesn't feel safe without us.'She should be enjoying her teenage years, spending time with friends, growing in confidence and looking forward to the future. Instead, so much of that has been taken away from her as a result of this incident.'While we have done everything we can to support her and stay strong as a family, the impact has been devastating. This has affected all of us in ways that are difficult to put into words.'We are asking anyone who knows anything about what happened that night to come forward. Even the smallest piece of information could help provide answers and bring us a step closer to justice.'Detectives have conducted extensive enquiries since 2024 which have included forensic examinations, speaking to potential witnesses and reviewing CCTV footage.They previously released footage of two men walking down a street, one wearing a black shirt, blue trousers and black shoes, and the other clad in a blue zip-up jacket and black trousers. Police previously released CCTV footage of two men walking down a street, in an appeal for informationDetective Chief Inspector Anna Deighton, who is leading the investigation, said today: 'We have carried out extensive enquiries since this offence was reported.'I would like to thank everyone who responded to our appeal in September and provided information to police. The information we received has helped progress our investigation and led us to this stage of our enquiries.'We are now naming Ahmed and Jaigirdar as men we need to trace and speak to. We believe Ahmed remains in the UK and Jaigirdar may have travelled to Bangladesh.'We are asking anyone who knows their whereabouts, or who has information that could assist our investigation, to come forward immediately. We would also urge Ahmed and Jaigirdar to contact police.'Alexa Loukas, Regional Manager for London at the charity Crimestoppers, said: 'A young girl was subjected to a horrific and traumatic attack.'While identifying the two men police wish to speak to is a positive step, locating them remains crucial. If anyone has any information, no matter how small, about where they are, you can share that information with the independent charity Crimestoppers.'You will never be asked to provide your name or identify who you are. Your information could help move the investigation forward and protect other young women from harm.''A reward of up to £10,000 remains available for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Your information could make a vital difference.'Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting 01/668295/24, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.