Man on bicycle with rucksack hunted after series of serious sexual assaults in London

Police believe man pictured on bike could assist investigation into attacks on women

The man who police want to identify was pictured on a bike carrying an over-sized bag on Saturday 2 June (Metropolitan Police)

A CCTV image of a man who detectives want to trace in connection with a rape and two other sexual assaults has been released by police.

The Metropolitan Police believe the man, who is shown on a bike carrying an oversized bag, may be able to assist the investigation into the separate incidents.

All three assaults took place during the early hours in southeast London and involved attacks on women.

Two of the assaults have been formally linked and officers are keeping an open mind that the third offence could be connected.

The low-quality CCTV image was taken in the SE10 area of London on Saturday 2 June.

The first incident took place at 4.30am on Saturday 9 March when a woman in her 50s was attacked by a man with a bike who attempted to rape her on Blackheath Common, southeast London.

In the second, a woman in her 20s was attacked and raped while walking along a footbridge near Tunnel Avenue, Greenwich, at 2am on Saturday 2 June.

In both incidents, the suspect left on a bike and in the second, the victim described the suspect as a carrying a large rucksack, which was possibly khaki or dark green in colour.

Police were called to a third incident after receiving reports of an attempted rape of a woman in her 40s in Margaret McMillan Park, southeast London, at 2.17am on Friday 7 June.

A man in his late 20s was arrested yesterday in connection with all three incidents and has been bailed pending further enquiries until early July.

Detective Chief Inspector Angela Craggs, who is leading the enquiries, said: “Our team are ensuring the welfare of the victims in each of these offences, and we have a well-resourced operation dedicated to locating whoever is responsible for these attacks.

“Stranger attacks are incredibly rare and we would like to urge people to be alert, but not alarmed.

“Increased patrols are being carried out in the areas and we would urge anyone with concerns to speak to officers.”

Ms Craggs also urged any further victims who have not yet spoken to police to come forward in order to receive support and assist with the enquiries.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact the South East Safeguarding Team on 0208 284 8461, referencing Operation Ladoga.

Alternatively, anyone with information can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.