Pictured: City worker fighting for life after horrific random stabbing in Dagenham

Victim: Qingqing Rao
Metropolitan Police
Hatty Collier20 February 2017
WEST END FINAL

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This is the first picture of a City worker who was left fighting for life after being repeatedly stabbed by a stranger in a brutal attack.

Detectives today issued a fresh appeal for witnesses to come forward a week after the attack took place.

Qingqing Rao, 29, was critically injured after being knifed and left lying in the street with head injuries in Dagenham.

The business analyst was attacked in Castle Green Park as she made her way home from her City job last Monday.

Scotland Yard said her parents and husband were keeping a constant vigil at her bedside in hospital and were desperate for her attacker to be caught.

Stab horror: police at the scene in Dagenham
Ken Mears/Archant

Detectives investigating the assault believe it was carried out by a stranger. They will return to the scene for two hours from 8.30pm tonight to appeal for information.

Detective Chief Inspector Gary Holmes, leading the investigation at the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: "Qingqing remains unconscious in hospital in a life-threatening condition.

"Her parents and husband are by her side and desperate to catch the person who did this to her.

"Officers will be returning to the area tonight in the hope someone comes forward with information that could help our investigation.

"If you know anything at all, or saw something suspicious that night, please contact us as soon as possible.

"We are still keeping an open mind about the motive and exploring all lines of enquiry but indications are Qingqing was brutally attacked by a stranger."

Having travelled from Liverpool Street as she made her way home from work in the City, the last part of her journey saw her board a bus at Rippleside Cemetery in Barking at 9.37pm.

Police said she got off the bus about three minutes later at Castle Green Park and was walking across the park towards home when she was attacked.

Passers-by found Ms Rao lying in Kithira Road with stab wounds at about 9.50pm.

Officers are still appealing for two women who assisted paramedics at the scene to contact them.

Ms Rao’s bag was later found in Goresbrook Road and detectives are still investigating whether any of her property is missing.

There have been no arrests.

Anyone who can help is asked to call the incident room on 020 8345 1570, contact police via 101 or by tweeting @MetCC. Or to give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.

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