Alert over serial rapist

Police are hunting a serial rapist who has attacked at least six women.

The man, who is said to talk like comedy character Ali G, has been preying on women for at least 12 months but his attacks have escalated recently.

He has raped four of his victims in a two-mile radius of north London. Women there have been warned not to walk home alone. He attacked his first victim in January last year but officers have become increasingly alarmed after he attacked three women in the space of 18 days last month.

Three of the women have been assaulted in the same street.

In the most recent incidents he indecently assaulted a 22-year-old woman who was grabbed from behind late at night in Winchmore Hill. Nine days later a 23-year-old victim escaped after a struggle. His latest victim was a 27-year-old woman who was grabbed from behind after being followed in Waterfall Road, Southgate, where he had previously attacked two other women.

Detectives believe he uses the same method in each attack.

He targets women walking home alone, grabs them from behind and drags them to side of the pavement or road where he attempts to rape them.

Several attacks have happened alongside a cemetery and playing fields near the North Circular.

A police source said: "This man is a serious danger to women and must be caught. Someone must know who he is and we urge them to come forward.

"We urge all lone women to take every possible precaution to prevent him striking again."

Women are being advised to carry rape alarms.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "We believe the suspect has local knowledge and we are appealing for a partner or relative who may know or suspect who is responsible to make contact."

Police have described the attacker as being 5ft 8ins to 5ft 10ins tall, of stocky or muscular build. He is believed to be foreign. One of his victims describes him as black and he is said to speak in a mock patois, as satirised by the Channel 4 comedy character Ali G.

Detectives are appealing for anyone who may have any information to contact the Specialist Crime Directorate at Hendon on 020 8358 0100. Alternatively, to remain anonymous, people can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.