Two young women were abducted and raped in different parts of north London by the same man in a car, police have said.
Officers are hunting a suspect described as a white man of muscular build following the "terrifying ordeal" on Thursday.
The first woman was abducted from a street in Chingford at around 12.30am, Scotland Yard said in a statement.
The second woman was taken from a street in Edgware at 12.15pm.
Both women, aged in their 20s, managed to escape together from the suspect after a struggle in Osborn Road, Watford, at around 2.30pm the same day.
They are now receiving support from specialist officers, police said.
An investigation is under way led by officers from the Homicide and Major Crime Command and supported by other specialist and local officers.
Detective Chief Inspector Katherine Goodwin who leads the investigation said: “This was a terrifying ordeal for both women who were abducted by the suspect in separate areas.
"At this stage there is nothing to suggest either victims were specifically targeted for any reason, but both appear to have been selected at random.
“A number of active leads are being followed up urgently including reviewing CCTV footage and forensic analysis. We are also working closely with our colleagues in Hertfordshire to establish what links the suspect may have in that area.
“Stranger attacks like this are extremely rare. That being said, I would urge everyone in these areas to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious to police immediately via 999.”
Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call police on 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD 3041/25Apr or Crimestoppers anonymously via 0800 555 111.
