Police hunt man who abducted two women in random attacks 15 miles apart and RAPED them before they escaped after 12 hour ordeal
- The two women were abducted separately by a male suspect in a car then raped
- The first victim was abducted from a street in Chingford, north East London
- Second victim was abducted 12 hours later several miles away in Edgware
Detectives are hunting a sex attacker who abducted two women in their 20s off the street and raped them in a seemingly random and ‘extremely rare’ attack.
The two women were abducted separately by a ‘muscular’ white male suspect in a car and subsequently raped, one of them being held for over 12 hours.
They were taken 12 hours apart and from locations 15 miles apart before escaping yesterday afternoon after a broad daylight struggle in Watford.
The first victim was abducted from a street in Chingford, north East London on Thursday, around 12.30am.
Officers are now urgently appealing for information and witnesses to come forward (stock)
The second victim was abducted 12 hours later from a street several miles away in Edgware, North London at 12.15pm on Thursday.
Both women, who are aged in their 20s, managed to escape from the suspect following a struggle in Osborn Road, Watford around 2.30pm.
They are now receiving support from specialist officers. The police are now urgently appealing for information and witnesses to come forward.
The suspect is described as a white man of muscular build.
Detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command have now launched an investigation supported by other specialist and local officers.
Detective Chief Inspector Katherine Goodwin who is leading the shocking case said: ‘This was a terrifying ordeal for both women who were abducted by the suspect in separate areas.
‘At this stage there is nothing to suggest either victims were specifically targeted for any reason, but both appear to have been selected at random.
Both women, who are aged in their 20s, managed to escape from the suspect following a struggle in Osborn Road, Watford
‘A number of active leads are being followed up urgently including reviewing CCTV footage and forensic analysis. We are also working closely with our colleagues in Hertfordshire to establish what links the suspect may have in that area.
‘Stranger attacks like this are extremely rare. That being said, I would urge everyone in these areas to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious to police immediately via 999.’
* Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call police on 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD 3041/25Apr or Crimestoppers anonymously via 0800 555 111.