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A serial rapist known as the Night Stalker is believed to have broken into nine more homes in the past fortnight, it emerged today.
He is now thought to be behind 25 raids this year, with police fearing he may be “taunting” them by stepping up the number of break-ins.
The attacker is believed to be responsible for 130 crimes since 1990 in London and the South-East, three of them last year.
He has been described by victims as a light-skinned black man in his late thirties with a well-spoken soft voice and an athletic build.
He has indecently assaulted men and women aged 68 to 99, and committed four rapes.
No one was raped in the recent break-ins, but several were assaulted.
Two of the burglary victims last week were 91 and 93, living just 400 yards apart in Shirley, near Croydon.
The other seven live in an area of south-east London bordering Surrey.
In each attack he cuts phone wires and disables light bulbs so that his features cannot be seen clearly.
He often wears dark clothing and a balaclava. Police believe he may live abroad at times.
Police also think he has used a motorcycle, has a connection to Brighton and that his mother died in 2000.
The attacker's DNA has been linked to at least one of the crimes where cash and other items were stolen.
A police source said: “The recent outbreak of incidents would suggest this man is unable to control his compulsions — or else he could be simply taunting police. It has caused deep concern.”
Forensic investigations have shown the attacker originates from the Windward Islands. A reward of £40,000 has been offered for information leading to his arrest and conviction.
