Hunt for sex-attack burglar who targets elderly

Scotland Yard has issued a new appeal to catch a burglar who has struck more than 80 times, raping at least three of his elderly victims.

Police are mounting extra patrols in the south London suburbs he has targeted after seven new assaults in the past two months.

The suspect has evaded detection for more than 10 years despite a massive police operation.

He has carried out more than 22 indecent assaults and 40 burglaries-All his victims are pensioners, some of them aged more than 90.

Tonight detectives are to issue a new appeal through the BBC Crimewatch programme, publicising his description.

The most recent attacks have taken place in and around the Shirley area, near Croydon, and Orpington, the scene of many of his previous assaults.

The assailant usually enters properties through rear windows during the night. He wears a balaclava and an all-in-one black catsuit. Dubbed Minstead Man after the name of the police operation to catch him, he is said by officers to be highly intelligent and forensically aware, leaving few clues.

However, in recent attacks he has allowed some victims to glimpse his face and at one crime scene left an imprint of a size 10 Nike training shoe.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Morgan, who is leading the investigation, said the man was meticulous in planning his attacks and his victims were often too frightened to call police.

He said: "We think the identity of the suspect will be a surprise to everyone. I don't think even his closest family will suspect him.

"I think this man must know that he needs help and I would urge him to come forward voluntarily."

Forensic psychologists brought in by the Operation Minstead team say the suspect is a gerontophile - a person sexually obsessed with elderly women.

Police have spoken to convicted rapists with a similar compulsion to abuse elderly people, and found one man who took his wife and children on trips to research future victims.

The suspect is described as a light-skinned black man, aged 25 to 40, about 5ft 9in tall, of athletic build and softly spoken.

Anyone with information should call the incident room on 020 8649 1556 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Crimewatch is on BBC1 at 9pm tonight.