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London
Man arrested over nine linked sexual assaults in Clapham
The suspect is described as a man with dark hair and as being of Mediterranean or Middle-Eastern appearance.
Updated 11.26am
POLICE IN LONDON have arrested a 24-year-old man in connection with a series of sexual assault believed to be linked.
All nine incidents took place in less than a month in the Clapham and Brixton Hill areas.
9 October
- A 23-year-old woman was grabbed and sexually assaulted along Clitheroe Road, Clapham at about 11.30pm. She managed to raise the alarm and the suspect ran off.
Saturday, 10 October
- A 30-year-old woman was walking along Deauville Court, close to Elms Crescent, at about 1am when a man approached and tried to engage her in conversation. When she asked him to leave her alone, he grabbed and assaulted her.
Thursday, 22 October
- At 9.05pm a woman was followed along Trent Road before a man placed his hand up her dress. The 32-year-old woman reported the incident to local officers.
Monday 26 October
- At 7.05pm along Arodene Road, Clapham, a 35-year-old woman was grabbed from behind as she walked home.
- At 9.15pm, CCTV footage was captured along nearby Roseberry Road, as a 26-year-old woman attempted to enter her home address. A man was seen approaching her from behind and assaulting her before she was able to raise the alarm.
- On the same night, at 9.36pm, a 28-year-old woman had just arrived home along Sandmere Road, Clapham, when she noticed a man standing on the opposite side of her street. He had pulled down his trousers and underwear to deliberately expose himself. The woman managed to get into her house and alert police.
Wednesday 28 October
- At 7.20pm a 28-year-old woman had been approaching her home along Southwell Road when a man grabbed her. She screamed and he fled the scene.
- Three hours later on the same night a 31-year-old woman was walking home when she was pushed by a suspect into a nearby block of flats along Sudbourne Road. She was sexually assaulted before the suspect ran away.
Saturday, 31 October
- Police were called at shortly after 5.40pm to Edithna Street, SW8. A woman had been approached from behind by a man, who touched her on the backside multiple times. The woman called for help and the attacker fled, making off in the direction of Landor Road, SW9.
Arrest
In all of these cases, the suspect is described as a man with dark hair and as being of Mediterranean or Middle-Eastern appearance.
The 24-year-old man in police custody was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault in the Brixton Hill area.
The man was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault in the Brixton Hill area and he remains in custody at a south London police station.
Yesterday police had urged further victims to come forward and advised caution
Commander Simon Letchford said:
If you are out and about I would ask you to please take some sensible precautions. Be aware of your surroundings, especially who is around you. If you feel uneasy about an individual or situation, then please trust your instincts. Always dial 999 if you feel in danger.
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