London attacker
Police have warned women in South London to be vigilant following a spate of assaults Met Police

Police have warned women to remain vigilant after linking three violent attacks which occurred in south London in the past few months. The assaults took place within a four-mile radius of each other. Each of the victims was walking alone in the early hours of a weekend or public holiday when they were approached from behind before being physically assaulted.

On 4 December, a 31-year-old woman was left with a head injury after being attacked on Commercial Way between 1.15am and 2.15am GMT.

"The level of violence appears to have escalated each time so I am urging women, in and around the areas affected, to be alert and follow personal safety advice."
– Detective Chief Inspector Zena Marshall

On 13 December, a second woman, aged 30, was assaulted to the point of unconsciousness on Hanover Park between 6.15 am and 6.45am GMT. She was found lying in the street. The third victim, aged 18, was attacked on New Year's Day on Creekside/Deptford Church Street. She was left with serious injuries to her head and face.

The assaults were previously being investigated separately but intelligence has led police to believe that the attacks are all connected. A spokesman said that while there is currently no evidence that they were sexually motivated, all three are being investigated by the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command's Serious and Complex Case Team.

Detective Chief Inspector Zena Marshall told Sky News : "The level of violence appears to have escalated each time so I am urging women, in and around the areas affected, to be alert and follow personal safety advice.

"I cannot rule out that there may be other offences, which could possibly be linked. If you are a woman who has been approached or assaulted in circumstances that sound similar to these, but have not reported it to the police, then I would urge you to please get in touch with us.

"Also, I would urge anyone who thinks they recognise the man in the CCTV image released to contact us. Any information you have could prove vital in enabling us to identify and speak to this man as part of our investigation. I would also urge anyone who was in any of these locations on the days and times of these offences and saw something that may help then please get in touch with us."

Detectives have released a CCTV image and footage of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the offences. Police have warned women in the area to be vigilant if walking alone in the early hours.

London