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Police hunting serial sex attacker targeting schoolgirls in south east London

The attacker has struck nine times in south east London - Met Police
The attacker has struck nine times in south east London - Met Police

Police are hunting a serial sex attacker in south east London, who has been targeting young girls as they make their way to and from school.

The suspect has struck against nine victims, seven of them children in a matter of weeks.

The attacks took place either early in the morning, or in the afternoon, and all took place in south east London.

Three of the victims were 11-years-old, four were 13, while the remaining two were 25 and 27.

In each of the cases the attacker approached the victims and touched them sexually before escaping on foot.

The first attack took place on June 30 in Lewisham at 8.20am, when a 13-year-old girl was sexually assaulted.

The next reported attack took place two months later on August 29 close to the scene of the first incident when an 11-year-old girl was attacked.

Seven of the nine victims were schoogirls - Credit: Met Police
A CCTV image issued by police in an appeal following the sexual assaults Credit: Met Police

Almost a month later the attacker struck again in nearby Ladywell, assaulting a 13-year-old schoolgirl.

He struck twice the following day against two children and then twice the following week on October 5.

The most recent incident took place earlier this week in Forest Hill when an 11-year-old girl was attacked at around 4pm.

Detectives, who fear there may have been other attacks that have not been reported, have now released CCTV images of a man leaving the scene of the last incident and have appealed to the public to help identify him.

Police have issued CCTV of a man they wish to question
Police have issued CCTV of a man they wish to question

Superintendent Lee Hill, of Greenwich Police, said: “These incidents were very frightening for the victims. I am appealing to the public to help identify and locate this man as quickly as possible.

“Although none of the victims have suffered physical injury, the effects of becoming a victim of sexual assault can be lasting and traumatic.

“There is a 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 40-50-years-old, with short white or blonde hair. This is one line of enquiry detectives are exploring.

“I am concerned that there may be more victims who have not yet come forward and are not receiving the support that they may need. I would urge any victims who have not yet come forward to contact police.

“While efforts to trace the person or people behind these attacks progresses, police patrols in the area have been increased and officers are working with local schools to advise and reassure pupils and parents.”