Police are making appeals after a woman was approached by a man in Highbury Avenue carrying what's believed to be a machete.
The woman in her 40s ran off and came away unharmed.
The suspect is described as a black man, aged between 18 and 20, approximately 5ft 6ins tall with a medium build.
He has dark short curly hair and is believed to be wearing dark trousers and a grey round-neck top.
Police say they're keeping an open mind as to whether this was linked to another incident in the area, whereby a teenage was assaulted.
Detective inspector Simon Harding, from Croydon CID said: "I want to reassure the local community that we have put in place extra patrols in the area."
"These sorts of incidents are unprovoked and very unusual and my officers are carrying out extensive enquiries."
Anyone who witnessed either incident or with information should contact Croydon CID on 020 3276 2172.
The woman in her 40s ran off and came away unharmed.
The suspect is described as a black man, aged between 18 and 20, approximately 5ft 6ins tall with a medium build.
He has dark short curly hair and is believed to be wearing dark trousers and a grey round-neck top.
Police say they're keeping an open mind as to whether this was linked to another incident in the area, whereby a teenage was assaulted.
Detective inspector Simon Harding, from Croydon CID said: "I want to reassure the local community that we have put in place extra patrols in the area."
"These sorts of incidents are unprovoked and very unusual and my officers are carrying out extensive enquiries."
Anyone who witnessed either incident or with information should contact Croydon CID on 020 3276 2172.