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| Arrest in serial sex attack probe | Arrest in serial sex attack probe |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| A 52-year-old man has been arrested in connection with more than 100 attacks and rapes on the elderly across south-east London. | A 52-year-old man has been arrested in connection with more than 100 attacks and rapes on the elderly across south-east London. |
| Officers have long believed one person, dubbed the "night stalker", was responsible for a string of burglaries and sex offences dating back to 1990. | Officers have long believed one person, dubbed the "night stalker", was responsible for a string of burglaries and sex offences dating back to 1990. |
| The attacks have taken place in areas including Dulwich, Orpington, Norwood, Downham, Lee, West Wickham and Bickley. | The attacks have taken place in areas including Dulwich, Orpington, Norwood, Downham, Lee, West Wickham and Bickley. |
| Detectives described the arrest of the man early on Sunday as "significant". | Detectives described the arrest of the man early on Sunday as "significant". |
| Horrific injuries | Horrific injuries |
| Police launched Operation Minstead to track the attacker down in the late 1990s and the investigation covers 108 offences. | Police launched Operation Minstead to track the attacker down in the late 1990s and the investigation covers 108 offences. |
| Although the vast majority of the victims have been women they also include 10 elderly men, one of whom suffered a sexual attack. | Although the vast majority of the victims have been women they also include 10 elderly men, one of whom suffered a sexual attack. |
| Police say the attacker has raped four victims, one suffering horrific injuries and almost dying in surgery. | Police say the attacker has raped four victims, one suffering horrific injuries and almost dying in surgery. |
| Telephone lines and fuse boxes are often disabled before the homes of vulnerable people are broken into. Some of the victims were raped and sexually assaulted. | Telephone lines and fuse boxes are often disabled before the homes of vulnerable people are broken into. Some of the victims were raped and sexually assaulted. |
| Earlier this month, the Met Police revealed more than 2,000 DNA samples had been obtained from suspects as part of the 12-year inquiry at a cost of £102,700. | Earlier this month, the Met Police revealed more than 2,000 DNA samples had been obtained from suspects as part of the 12-year inquiry at a cost of £102,700. |
| Operation Minstead involves a 29-strong team based at Lewisham police station investigating sex attacks on men and women aged between 68 and 93. | Operation Minstead involves a 29-strong team based at Lewisham police station investigating sex attacks on men and women aged between 68 and 93. |
| A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "We can confirm a 52-year-old man was arrested in the early hours of Sunday morning in a pre-planned operation. He is currently in custody at a London police station." | A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "We can confirm a 52-year-old man was arrested in the early hours of Sunday morning in a pre-planned operation. He is currently in custody at a London police station." |