Women and girls in east London are being warned to be extra cautious as police hunt a serial sex attacker, linked to at least five separate sexual assaults.
Scotland Yard has released an E-fit of their prime suspect, a young black man, as extra resources are being brought in to help in the ongoing investigation.
Detectives are appealing for the public’s help in tracking down the attacker, who assaulted his victims in the Walthamstow area of east London.
The Met is so far investigating five reports of girls and women aged between 12 and 22, who reported being sexually assaulted in an area around Hoe Street and Wood Street in the borough of Waltham Forest.
Scotland Yard has released an E-fit of their prime suspect
Scotland Yard
The women and girls were attacked between January 17 and February 22.
A Metropolitan police spokesperson said all five victims were continuing to receive support from specialist officers health professionals.
Over recent weeks, uniformed officers and detectives have carried out extensive door-to-door and other enquiries.
They have released the E-fit pictures based on the evidence gathered by the victims, in the hope that members of the public might recognise the man.
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The attacks took place between Hoe Street and Wood Street in the borough of Waltham Forest
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Detective Constable Lucie Johnson-Jones, from the local policing team in north-east London said: “We believe the suspect is in his late teens or early 20s and we are working urgently identify him.
“Anyone who can help us to do that should contact us immediately.
“These incidents are concerning and I recognise people in the area will be worried.
"We have stepped up patrols and are working with local schools to provide as much reassurance as we can.”
Anyone with information that could help the investigation is being asked to call police on the main 101 number.
Police acknowledge there may be people with information, who do not want to reveal their own identity.
In which case, those individuals are being urged to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
As the manhunt for the sex attackers continues, as well as additional police patrols in the Walthamstow area, women and girls are being urged to be extra vigilant and cautious when out and about in the area.