Police want help in tracing a serial sex attacker who is believed to lure his women victims by photographing them and offering them the chance of a career in modelling.
?We are certain there are lots of victims out there,? a Metropolitan Police spokeswoman told us this morning.
The attacker takes pictures of his victims, telling them that he will send the shots to a ?contact? he knows – to establish whether or not they would be suitable for a modelling career.
However, the police spokeswoman played down press reports that the suspect is ?posing a photographer?, telling us that he is believed to use both still and video cameras but not professional camera gear.
The latest rape allegation, in the London Borough of Bexley, follows a series of attacks dating back to 1993 across the South East.
?He hands out business cards and advertises in newsagents? windows,? say police who have so far traced three victims.
In one attack, last November, a women was indecently assaulted by a man who turned up at her house after she agreed to take part in underwear photo shoots for clothing catalogues. The suspect had advertised at a newsagent in Dartford, Kent.
In the first alleged attack, 13 years ago, a 17-year-old woman was standing at bus stop in Thamesmead, south-east London, when she was approached by a man in a car who complimented her and indicated that he could help her to develop a career in modelling. He gave her a business card and invited her to call him, say police. She was allegedly raped by the man who took pictures of her at his home after a trip to a London nightclub. But the women did not report it to police until last year when she heard of a similar attack in Welling, Kent.
The suspect is described as a white man aged around 50, 5?10? tall and of a medium but ?slightly podgy? build. He has black hair (believed to be dyed) which has been worn tied back in a ponytail or cut short.
?He is well spoken with a slightly husky voice and often wears heeled boots,? say police who add that victims have reported him driving a white Golf and burgundy-coloured Porsche.
Det Supt Nigel Tolson from Bexley CID said: ?It is not a crime to advertise services that could result in a career in modelling but the man responsible for these crimes is taking advantage by preying on the aspirations of young women with the lure of a career in modelling.?
Police have arrested a 60-year-old man from Essex who has been bailed pending further enquiries.
Anyone who can help should call police on 020 8284 9131 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.