New rape warning issued

Detectives today issued a new and unprecedented warning to millions of women throughout London and the South-East about the so-called Trophy Rapist.

As the hunt intensified for the man who has now struck at least 10 times, police warned that women should not go out walking alone or while wearing headphones.

In a chilling evaluation of the threat now faced by women of all ages and backgrounds, officers warned women and girls to remain alert to what is happening around them at all times. So far, all of the victims have been grabbed from behind.

Officers believe the Trophy Rapist - so called because he usually steals a memento from his victims - has probably attacked more than the 10 victims confirmed so far but that others may have been too afraid to come forward. He has probably attempted to rape other women but has aborted the attacks for fear of being caught.

Concern is growing because he appears to be targeting the huge areas of the Home Counties easily accessible from the M25 and the suburban rail network.

Women who use wooded areas are at particular risk from the man who has become increasingly violent and reckless. He has an accent, possibly from the North-East, and has grown more and more ruthless.

David Kelly, Assistant Chief Constable of Kent, says the attacker is "extremely dangerous". He added: "My advice is to be alert. Look around you all the time when you are walking and if you see
someone or something you are not happy with, run away and call the police.

"This man's rapes are horrible offences by any definition; the rape of children, girls of 10, 12, 13 or 14 years old, right up to a woman of 52. This is a man who is more than likely to strike again and we need the public's assistance to catch him as quickly as we can."

Detective Superintendent Mark Warwick, the deputy investigating officer in the case, warned women everywhere to be aware of their surroundings and added: "He is likely to take walks in wooded land near houses. If you are going out, go out in twos." The hunt for the rapist now involves more than five police forces and is the biggest since the combined operation to find the Yorkshire Ripper.

Officers are known to have collected the rapist's DNA but it does not match any sample already held on file.

Nevertheless, the profile being established is of someone who has probably committed previous crimes. His muscular frame and a precise and ruthless approach suggests someone who may have had military training.

Det Supt Warwick, said: "There's distinctive things about his accent, he's a smoker, a drinker and he has tanned, leathery skin. When you put all these variables together, we're not actually looking at the whole population of the UK. We're looking at a very small group of people and someone, somewhere knows this person, either as a friend, a partner or an ex-partner."

The rapist has attacked victims over the past 11 months in Kent, Surrey, London, Berkshire, and Hertfordshire. He seems happy to take risks. Attacks have occurred close to busy footpaths and he has been willing to drag some victims from their bicycles despite the possibility that he might draw attention to himself.

The latest attack occurred in Collenswood Road, Stevenage on Friday, when a 14-year-old girl was grabbed from behind. She was dragged to rough ground and raped. Her attacker, who carried a knife, repeatedly threatened to kill her.

Officers said the girl is traumatised by the attack but did manage to put up a struggle and got a brief glimpse of him. She bravely took officers to the scene and gave them a description. She said he had a large nose, green-blue eyes and stubble. He was aged between 40-60. He may have sustained scratches to his face during the struggle.

Police will revisit the scene tomorrow at the exact time of the attack. They want to trace an elderly woman who was walking a white dog. They also want to trace someone who rode a moped in the area as the girl was being raped.

In a statement, her parents today spoke of their pain. "We have been shocked and devastated by what has happened to our daughter. She has been bearing up extremely well and we are very proud of her."

A police source added: "Initially she was very brave but now she has understood fully what has happened to her she is finding it very difficult indeed."

While detectives hope the public will provide them with a breakthrough, other experts are also trying to assist. Bob Taylor, a former Detective Chief Superintendent who was involved in the hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper, said the collection of underwear "trophies" the rapist has claimed from his victims will be crucial evidence.

* Anyone with information should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.