North London abductions and rapes: Image of car and description of attacker released

Police hunting a man who abducted and raped two women on the same day have released an image of the car used in the "random" attacks.

The vehicle is believed to be a silver or grey-coloured Ford S-Max people carrier, with false registration plates.

The Metropolitan Police has also described the suspect as a white man of muscular build, and aged in his late 20s or early 30s.

He had a bald head or shaved blond hair and a light-coloured short beard. He was said to have tattoos.

The suspect snatched his victims in north London after approaching them in a car - the first from a street in Chingford at 12.30am on Thursday, and the second from another road in Edgware at 12.15pm.

He then reportedly kept them together in the vehicle for about two hours.

Both women, aged in their 20s, managed to escape at around 2.30pm after a struggle in Osborne Road, Watford.

One of them hit the attacker over the head with a glass bottle as the pair fled, according to The Sun.

Residents said there was "glass and blood all over the floor" while others heard a women "screaming in terror", the newspaper reported.

Passers-by stepped in to help save both women, said the Watford Observer.

Police are treating the attacks as random but linked and the victims have been left "traumatised".

Officers believe the suspect drove around north London and Hertfordshire in his car from the early hours of Thursday.

And he may have come into contact with other members of the public.

No arrests have yet been made.

Detective Chief Inspector Katherine Goodwin said: "My team has been working extremely hard to identify the suspect behind these appalling crimes, and our reviews of CCTV and forensic evidence are ongoing.

"We are continuing to speak to both women to obtain a complete picture of what happened after they were abducted.

"At this stage we believe that the suspect travelled around north London and Hertfordshire in his car from the early hours of Thursday 25 April and he may have come into contact with other members of the public.

"If you were in these areas on Thursday and were approached by a stranger in similar circumstances, or saw anything that roused your suspicion or made you feel uncomfortable, get in touch now.

"The two victims have been left traumatised by the attacks. This person is clearly a danger to women."

:: Anyone with information about the attacks is urged to call police on 0208 785 8244 or 999 quoting CAD 3041/25Apr, or tweet @MetCC. They can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.