A mother was attacked with a knife in front of her 13-year-old boy after an attempted robbery.
The boy, 13, was walking by himself through a car park near the Primark in High Street North, East Ham, on April 23.
From here he was stopped by a lone male who began to threaten him and demand for money, but the boy’s mother who was waiting in the area ran to stop this.
She pulled away her son and they left the scene, but at 7.24pm they saw the suspect again in the same area.
Metropolitan Police says she went over to the suspect, who pulled out a knife and began waving it around, causing a cut just above her ear.
The suspect then ran to the Kempton Road direction when a crowd began to gather.
The woman was taken to hospital for treatment and the boy had no injuries but was left shaken.
Police searched the area but the suspect was never found.
An image has now been released of a man who police would like to speak to in connection to the attack.
Detective Constable Sam Drury, who is investigating, said: "Following extensive enquiries we are now turning to the public for help in identifying this male.
"Please look at it carefully and share it among local community groups and forums. This was a horrible attack on a woman and her son and it is vital that we track this man down."
Anyone who recognises the man should call 101 or tweet @MetCC ref CAD 5764/23APR23 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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