Urgent hunt for unknown man after two women raped by attacker who targets lone women

Police have released an urgent appeal to help locate a man they wish to speak to after two women were raped by an unknown man. Despite the incidents happening 4 miles away from each other and 4 years apart, Met Police have linked the two rapes together and assume that it’s ‘highly likely the suspect has carried out further attacks.’

The offenses, both rapes of women during the early hours, took place miles apart – in Westminster in 2018 and Shoreditch in 2022. Forensic work by detectives has established that the same, as yet unidentified, man is responsible for both crimes, and officers are keen to hear from any further potential victims, as well as anyone who believes they may know the attacker.

The first offense took place at around 2.50am on Saturday May 5 2018 near The Strand. Significant inquiries were carried out by officers in an attempt to identify the suspect, including detailed analysis of hours of CCTV footage. An E-fit previously released in connection with this offense is being reissued.

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During the second incident, the victim was raped in the early hours of Saturday, December 10 2022 in Curtain Road E2. A CCTV image of a man officers want to speak to in connection with the investigation was released to the public and detectives are now releasing the related moving footage, shown above.

The Met’s investigation team continues to carry out a number of inquiries in relation to the wider investigation, including further testing of the DNA samples which linked the two incidents.

DI Chris Heathcote, responsible for investigating rape and serious offenses in east London, said: “These two offenses were initially investigated by separate teams given the distance between the two incidents, however we have since been able to forensically link the same individual to both offenses .

“Given the four-year gap, we must assume that it’s highly likely the suspect has carried out further attacks. A review of all unsolved rapes for this time period has identified no links to these two offenses, but I would appeal to anyone who feels they have been a victim to come forward.”

DI Heathcote added: “The suspect involved in both incidents appears to target lone women in the night time economy. I understand there will be concern that this individual remains outstanding, but I can offer every assurance that we are taking all possible steps to ensure he is found and brought to justice for these awful crimes.

“If you believe you have been a victim or recognize the man from any of the material released please come forward. Any information – no matter how small – could help us with our investigation.”

Anyone with information which could assist the investigation team is asked to contact 101 quoting CAD 6163/26MAR24.

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