Officers are looking for a man who they believe was “looking for an opportunity to enter a home” after an alleged attempted rape in Balham.

A around 2.45am on May 6 in Bedford Hill, a man entered a woman’s house after she had fallen asleep in her own living room.

The woman, who police say is in her 20s, was awoken by a stranger who then told her to keep quiet and attempted to sexually assault her.

The incident is being treated as an alleged attempted rape and officers say that it is believed to be an isolated incident.

The victim screamed and he then fled the scene.

Police say “ he is clearly a danger to women and we need to find him.”

CCTV of a man who matched the suspect’s description captured the man walking along Streatham High Road soon after.

Police said that the victim was left extremely distressed after the incident and is now being supported by specialist officers.

The suspect is described as black, aged in his late 20s to early 30s, slim, but not athletic build, about five foot seven inches with short afro hair.

Police are now asking the public to come forward if they can help police with the investigation by contacting them quoting CAD 945/06MAY.

Detective Sergeant Andy Walker of the South West Command Unit said: “This was a terrifying ordeal and the victim is being fully supported by officers specially trained to investigate sexual offences.

“We believe this man must have been looking for an opportunity to enter a home, he is clearly a danger to women and we need to find him.

"We are appealing for the public's help and releasing CCTV and an E-fit of a man we urgently want to trace.

“I am asking anyone who can help to call police, or you can call Crimestoppers who will never ask for your name.

“Officers are doing all they can to find this man, but we believe it is the public who may have the vital information that will help us trace and arrest this man."

A spokesperson for Metropolitan police said: “Officers are appealing for the public's help after a woman was sexually assaulted in her own home.

“The incident happened at about 02:45hrs on Saturday, 6 May in Bedford Hill, SW12.

“A woman, aged in her 20s, told police how she had fallen asleep in her living room.

“She told officers she had been woken by an unknown man who had managed to get into her home.

“The man told her to keep quiet and then attempted to sexually assault her, but the woman screamed and he fled the scene.

“CCTV later recorded a man, matching the suspect's description, walking on Streatham High Road, SW16.

“The victim was left extremely distressed and she is being supported by specially trained officers.

“The inquiry is being treated as an allegation of attempted rape.

“The suspect is described as black, aged in his late 20s to early 30s, slim, but not athletic build, about 5ft 7ins with short afro hair.

“At this time the inquiry is being treated as an isolated incident.

“Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call detectives on 07919 302419 or call police on 101 or contact via Twitter @MetCC. Please quote CAD 945/06MAY.

“To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.”