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Rapist attacks four women on the way home from nights out
Justin Davenport20.05.09
A serial rapist who began his attacks on Valentine's Day is targeting women walking home late at night in south west London.
Police said today they have increased patrols after four attacks on women in the boroughs of Hounslow and Richmond.
The victims are aged between 16 and 25 and were walking home after evenings out.
The incidents took place within a two mile radius in Feltham, Twickenham and Hounslow.
Police say the suspect is described as having chubby cheeks and thick eyebrows but victims have struggled to give officers a good description because he chooses dark locations for his attacks.
In all four cases the victims are approached from behind and dragged to the ground before they are raped.
The first incident took place at 3am on 14 February as the victim was walking along Inwood Road, Hounslow.
The second happened at around 3.30am on 22 February in Hounslow Road, Feltham the third at 11.45pm on Hospital Bridge Road in Twickenham and the fourth on 4 May when the victim was walking along a footpath Linking Telford Road and Harvey Road in Hounslow.
Police say that in all four cases the suspect is described as having a dark complexion, is aged in his mid-to-late 20s, has chubby cheeks and thick eyebrows.
One of the victims described the suspect as having dark hair and two victims say he was wearing a sweet-smelling aftershave.
Detective Inspector Andy Perrott, who is leading the inquiry, said: “I would like to speak to anybody who may have been in the vicinity of these attacks and saw or heard anything suspicious.
“I would particularly urge anyone who believes that they recognise our description of this man, who thinks they may know who he is, or who may have come into contact with him in any circumstances, to call our incident room or, if you want to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers.”
The rapes are being investigated by the Yard's Homicide and Serious Crime Command.
Commander Steve Bloomfield, senior officer for South West London, said: “I want to ensure that Richmond and Hounslow are safe places to live and visit.
“We are taking these incidents very seriously and have taken a number of measures to prevent further offences and reassure the public. These include increased uniform and plain-clothed patrols of the area and the distribution of safety advice to members of the community.
“In this advice we are urging young women who are travelling late at night that wherever possible to try to walk with friends, to keep to well-lit main roads, to be aware of what's going on around them, and to pre-book and use licensed cabs.”
Anyone with any information is urged to call the incident room on 0208 785 8244 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
