This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/8059038.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Police in hunt for serial rapist Police in hunt for serial rapist
(about 1 hour later)
Police are hunting a rapist suspected of being responsible for four attacks across south-west London.Police are hunting a rapist suspected of being responsible for four attacks across south-west London.
Since Valentine's Day, victims aged between 16 and 25 have been raped as they walked in Hounslow and Richmond.Since Valentine's Day, victims aged between 16 and 25 have been raped as they walked in Hounslow and Richmond.
The suspect is described as having a dark complexion, aged in his mid to late 20s, with chubby cheeks and thick eyebrows, the Metropolitan Police said.The suspect is described as having a dark complexion, aged in his mid to late 20s, with chubby cheeks and thick eyebrows, the Metropolitan Police said.
Police have increased the numbers of patrol and plain clothes officers in response to the crimes. Police have increased the numbers of patrols and plain clothes officers in response to the crimes.
Officers believe the incidents are linked.Officers believe the incidents are linked.
We are taking these incidents very seriously Commander Steve BloomfieldWe are taking these incidents very seriously Commander Steve Bloomfield
The first attack happened at 0300 BST on 14 February on Inwood Road, Hounslow.The first attack happened at 0300 BST on 14 February on Inwood Road, Hounslow.
Another woman was raped on 22 February at 0330 BST in Hounslow Road, while the third incident happened at about 2345 BST on 30 April in the Crane Park area of Richmond.Another woman was raped on 22 February at 0330 BST in Hounslow Road, while the third incident happened at about 2345 BST on 30 April in the Crane Park area of Richmond.
The Met confirmed that there was a fourth rape shortly after midnight on 4 May, when a woman walking along a footpath between Telford Road and Harvey Road in Hounslow was attacked.The Met confirmed that there was a fourth rape shortly after midnight on 4 May, when a woman walking along a footpath between Telford Road and Harvey Road in Hounslow was attacked.
Commander Steve Bloomfield, senior officer for south-west London, said: "We are taking these incidents very seriously and have taken a number of measures to prevent further offences and reassure the public.Commander Steve Bloomfield, senior officer for south-west London, said: "We are taking these incidents very seriously and have taken a number of measures to prevent further offences and reassure the public.
"These include increased uniform and plain-clothed patrols of the area and the distribution of safety advice to members of the community.""These include increased uniform and plain-clothed patrols of the area and the distribution of safety advice to members of the community."
He added: "In this advice we are urging young women who are travelling late at night that wherever possible to try to walk with friends, to keep to well-lit main roads, to be aware of what's going on around them, and to pre-book and use licensed cabs."He added: "In this advice we are urging young women who are travelling late at night that wherever possible to try to walk with friends, to keep to well-lit main roads, to be aware of what's going on around them, and to pre-book and use licensed cabs."