Woman sexually assaulted and attacked at gunpoint, police searching for man in his 30s

London police are searching for a man after a woman was attacked and sexually assaulted at gunpoint before escaping and running to a nearby home for help.

The incident began between 1:30 a.m. and 2 a.m. on Rectory Street near Hamilton Road early Saturday morning.

Police say a woman working as a sex worker was approached by a man in a vehicle in the 100-block of Rectory Street. The two spoke and the woman got into the car in a nearby parking lot.

Once she was in the car, the man pulled out what looked like a handgun and threatened the woman before driving to the 600-block of Trafalgar Street, were he sexually assaulted and assaulted her, police say.

The woman was able to get out of the car and run to a nearby house, where she contacted a family member to pick her up. She was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries and police were called.

The man is described as Brown, in his 30s, about 5'11, with a medium, fit build and clean-shaven, with shoulder-length thick black hair. He was wearing a t-shirt and black jogging pants, police say.

The car he was driving was a silver or grey four-door sedan.

"The London Police Service is deeply committed to protecting the safety and well-being of all members of our community. Ensuring public safety is our highest priority and we remain dedicated to providing support to victims," police said in a statement.

Officers are appealing to members of the public to help identify the suspect and vehicle involved. Anyone with dash-cam footage or doorbell surveillance footage that could help in the investigation is asked to call police.