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Police warn of 'predatory' taxi driver after three women were assaulted in London having been picked up

Police warn of 'predatory' taxi driver as three women are assaulted after being picked up in London  - PA
Police warn of 'predatory' taxi driver as three women are assaulted after being picked up in London - PA

Police have warned there is a "predatory" taxi driver at large in London after three women were assaulted after being picked up in the west of the city.

Officers are urging women to only use mini-cabs that they have specifically booked when travelling home alone following three separate incidents in Merton and Wandsworth.

Detectives are investigating three reported incidents involving a possible mini cab driver in the areas of Clapham and Putney who approaches lone females late at night.

When the victim is in the vehicle the driver stops the car and assaults her.

The first incident took place in Battersea Rise on Saturday, 3 August 3 at 1.15am. The second and third took place in Putney High Street on Sunday August 11 at 12.10am and Sunday, August 18 at 2.47am.

Detective Inspector Joanne Flynn, of the South West Command Unit’s CID, said: "We are following a number of lines of enquiry, however, it is important that we make women aware that this predatory man is out there.

"Although none of the victims sustained serious injuries, they were, understandably, traumatised by the incidents.

"The vehicle may or may not be a genuine minicab. Please ensure that you only get into cabs that you have personally booked and if possible, don’t travel home alone."