"We would also urge Ahmed and Jaigirdar to contact police."
Two Bangladeshi nationals are wanted for questioning following the rape of a 13-year-old girl in Bethnal Green, east London, with one of the men believed to have fled the UK.
Showkoth Ahmed and Jahidul Hassan Jaigirdar have been named by detectives as men they want to trace in connection with the attack, which was reported on August 1, 2024.
The girl told police she had seen two men on Whitechapel Road at around 11:30 pm before 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.
Ahmed is believed to remain in the UK and has links to Tower Hamlets, while Jaigirdar, who also has links to the London borough, is thought to have travelled to Bangladesh.
Crimestoppers have offered a £10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
The victim’s parents previously released a statement through the Metropolitan Police, describing the “devastating” impact the attack has had on their daughter and the wider family.
They said: “Our daughter continues to live in fear for her safety and no longer feels comfortable being on her own.
“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 carried out extensive enquiries since the incident was reported in 2024, including forensic examinations, speaking to potential witnesses and reviewing CCTV footage.
Police previously released footage showing two men walking down a street. One was wearing a black shirt, blue trousers and black shoes, while the other was dressed in a blue zip-up jacket and black trousers.
Detective Chief Inspector Anna Deighton, who is leading the investigation, said:
“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 Crimestoppers, added:
“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 about the men’s whereabouts or the investigation is urged to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 01/668295/24. Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or through its website.
