CCTV footage caught the moment a suspected rapist approached a woman on a busy Camden road before allegedly dragging her into an alleyway and attacking her.

The victim, a woman aged in her 20s, claimed the man – a stranger – began chatting to her her outside the Camden Head Pub after she stopped for a cigarette.

The two spoke outside for some time before going in for a drink. But, when the woman left to go home at 11.15pm, the man began following her, police say.

The woman attempted to get free of the man and began pushing him away from her.

But police say he dragged the screaming woman into a nearby alleyway before raping and assaulted her.

The terrified victim continued screaming for help, alerting passers-by, and eventually the man fled towards Mornington Crescent station.

Police have now released footage of a man they want to trace over the December 27 attack.

He is described as white, aged in his mid-twenties, 5ft 7ins and with short dark hair.

Appealing for information, Detective Conctable Jonny Rodgers said: "This is a very busy area and there were many people around with it being the festive period.

"Do you remember seeing this man on the evening of 27 December?"

Anyone with information can call 07342 071 319 or 101. Information can also be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.