Police release description of suspect in alleged abduction and rape

Met officers investigating the abduction and rape of two women have released the description of a suspect.

He is said to be a white man in his late-20s to mid-30s with a bald head or shaved blonde hair.

He has a short beard, tattoos and drove a silver or grey-coloured Ford S-Max people carrier.

The first victim was abducted in Chingford, north London, early on Thursday while the second was taken 12 hours later in Edgware.

Both women managed to escape their captor following a struggle in Osborne Road, Watford, the Met Police said.

Detectives said the women were “randomly selected” by the same attacker.

“We are continuing to speak to both women to obtain a complete picture of what happened after they were abducted,” Detective Chief Insp Katherine Goodwin said.

“At this stage we believe that the suspect travelled around north London and Hertfordshire in his car from the early hours of Thursday 25 April and he may have come into contact with other members of the public.

“If you were in these areas on Thursday and were approached by a stranger in similar circumstances, or saw anything that roused your suspicion or made you feel uncomfortable, get in touch now.”

The detective added that her team was working closely with officers in Hertfordshire to establish potential links the suspect might have to the area.

The women, both aged in their 20s, escaped the suspect after a struggle in Osborn Road, Watford, at about 2.30pm on Thursday.

And one witness, named Matthew, told The Sun: “The two girls managed to escape from the car and hit their attacker over the head with a glass bottle.

“There was glass and blood all over the floor, one of the girls ran over into Top Build [a nearby tool shop] for help.”