A 34-year-old man has been arrested in connection with eight sexual assaults on women returning home in south London that police believe are linked.
The attacks have targeted white women in their 20s and 30s walking alone at night in residential areas of Clapham. The suspect, who is from Lambeth, the borough that encompasses Clapham, was arrested on Thursday. He remains in custody at a south London police station.
Another man was arrested and then released on bail on Wednesday. In all eight cases, the suspect was described as being of Mediterranean or Middle Eastern appearance with dark hair.
Supt Rob Applegarth said police had increased patrols in Clapham and Brixton Hill and women were urged to consider their personal safety. “We are aware of eight assaults which we are linking at this early stage,” he said.
Five of the incidents occurred this week, but the string of offences began on 9 October at 11.30pm, when a 23-year-old woman was grabbed on Clitheroe Road and assaulted. The suspect ran off when she managed to raise the alarm.
In the early hours of the following morning, a man tried to engage a 30-year-old in conversation as she walked along Deauville Court. When she asked him to leave her alone, he grabbed her and assaulted her.
The third attack came last Thursday, just after 9pm, when a 32-year-old was followed along Trent Road by a man who put his hand up her dress.
The incidents became more frequent this week, with three attacks on Monday evening in as many hours. A 35-year-old was grabbed from behind as she was walking along Arodene Road just after 7pm, a 26-year-old was assaulted from behind on Rosebery Road at 8.15pm and a 28-year-old was confronted by a man who pulled his trousers down and exposed himself on Sandmere Road shortly after 9.30pm.
The most recent attacks happened on Wednesday evening. A 28-year-old was grabbed by a man on Southwell Road at 7.20pm. He fled when she began screaming. Three hours later, a 31-year-old was pushed into a block of flats along Sudbourne Road. The attacker sexually assaulted her before running away.
DS Gordon Barclay, who is leading the investigation, said: “We have had a good response following previous appeals. We would still like to advise women to remain vigilant when travelling at night and would also ask anybody who may have any information regarding these offences to make contact with police.”
