Police hunt for man after alleged rape of teenage girl

Police have urged a suspect to turn himself in immediately after the alleged rape of a teenage girl in south west London.

Officers are searching for Kadian Nelson, 26, following the incident in Merton at about 7am on Tuesday morning.

Videos and images have since emerged of groups of people attending various addresses attempting to locate the suspect.

Warning members of the public to stop doing this, Detective Superintendent Owain Richards said: "We are of course aware of videos and images circulating on social media, and of groups of people attending various addresses.

"I urge those people to go home. Do not try to take the law into your own hands or you may end up doing something you regret and potentially face police action yourself."

He added: "I am appealing directly to Kadian to attend his nearest police station immediately, or to call police and inform us as to his whereabouts. This is for his safety, as well as members of the public.

"I recognise that this is a shocking and distressing incident and emotions locally are running very high."

The teenage girl and her family are being supported by specialist officers, police said.

No-one has been arrested and local officers are patrolling the area.

Any witnesses or people with helpful information are asked to call police on 101 and quote ref CAD 1063/3 Nov