Warning on bogus auditions

Aspiring actresses are being tricked into taking part in bogus auditions and then sexually assaulted by a man claiming to be a film producer, Scotland Yard revealed today.

Detectives, who believe the man could be responsible for scores of attacks, picks his victims from the pages of the casting directory Spotlight - which has photographs and contact numbers of celebrities and actors.

The latest incident involved a woman, aged in her twenties, being lured to a stylish flat in Kensington. She had been telephoned by a man who asked her to audition for a part in a film called ' Collette' which he said was to be shot in Italy.

She was asked to read from a script called Gabrielle but police say the audition was "just an opportunity for the man to indecently assault her".

The script called for her to strip naked. The attacker had also written himself into the scene.

Detectives say violence was not involved and the woman left when she realised something was wrong.

Police believe other women could have been attacked, and even raped, but have been too afraid or embarrassed to report the incident.

A man was arrested on 23 November and bailed to return to Notting Hill police station in January.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 020 8246 0137.