Yahoo News Police hunt 'rush hour sex attacker' who may have carried out up to 25 attacks on girls as young as 13
Police are trying to chase a man they want to speak to in connection with a series of sex assaults on girls as young as 13.
About 25 women and girls have reported being attacked in the past year in south London, mainly in Lewisham and Greenwich but also including Southwark, Bromley and Bexley.
Officers believe the assaults are linked and may have been committed by the same person.
The first incident is believed to have involved a 13-year-old girl who was sexually assaulted in Foxfield Road, Orpington, at about 9.15am on October 16 2016.
Since then, police have received reports of similar offences, mostly during morning or afternoon rush hour.
The last attack was reportedly carried out against a 15-year-old girl in Sandbourne Road, Brockley, just after 8.30am on Wednesday November 22.
Most popular on Yahoo News UK
British student, 21, ‘faces jail’ in Dubai after witnessing fight in hotel lobby
Innocent man jailed for rape watches on as real beast is locked up for life
Stalker jailed for 21 months for posting sexually explicit pictures of ex-girlfriend on Instagram
‘Hero’ taxi driver saves teenage girl, 13, from clutches of paedophile who tried to abduct her
Netherlands police confirm that attacker in video Trump retweeted is NOT a migrant or Muslim
Officers have released CCTV footage from the incident showing a man that they want to speak to as part of their investigation.
He is described as white, in his 40s and with blue eyes.
Detective Chief Inspector Andrew Furphy said: “These offences have been traumatic for the victims, all of whom have been young females going about their daily lives.
“There is a strong possibility that these incidents are part of a linked series of attacks as a number of victims have provided very similar descriptions of the attacker – a white man aged between 40 and 50.
“It is also notable that none of these offences have taken place over a weekend and many of them have been committed during the morning and evening rush hours.”
He appealed for the public’s help in tracking down the man in the footage and said there may be other victims who have not come forward.
He added: ”If you are a victim, or know someone who has been a victim of a sexual assault, I can assure you your information will be treated with strict confidence and sensitivity.
Police said they have increased patrols in the areas where offences have been reported, and were working with local schools and communities.
Anyone with information can call the police on 0208 284 8346 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
