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Manhunt continues for rapist who abducted two women within 12 hours

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Police are still hunting for a man who abducted and raped two women in less than 12 hours (Picture: Getty)

Police are hunting a man who abducted and raped two women in less than 12 hours.

The attacker grabbed a woman in Chingford, east London, in the early hours of Thursday before striking again around 15 miles away in Edgware, north west London, on Thursday lunchtime in a second attack.

Both women - who appear to have been targeted randomly - managed to escape following a struggle in Watford, Hertforshire.

Police are urging anyone with information to come forward amid fears the man could strike again.

Sex attacker
Osborne Road in Watford, where both women managed to escape after a struggle (Picture: Google Maps)

Met Police Detective Chief Inspector Katherine Goodwin, who is leading the investigation, said the first victim was abducted from a street in Chingford just after midnight on Thursday.

The second woman was abducted from a street in Edgware at 12.15pm on Thursday lunchtime.

DCI Goodwin said the victims, both in their 20s, managed to escape from the suspect following a struggle in Osborne Road, Watford, at around 2.30pm on Thursday.

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She 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.

“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."

DCI Goodwin said both women are receiving support from specialist officers.

She added: “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.”

The suspect is described as white and of “muscular” build and drives a car, police said.

As the hunt for the attacker continues, patrols have been stepped up in the North Watford area, Hertfordshire Police confirmed.