FOURTH MAN IS HELD OVER CLAPHAM SEX ATTACKS Cops fear ‘copycat’ beasts

ANOTHER suspect has been arrested by detectives investigating a string of sex attacks in south London as cops consider the possibility of ‘copycat’ beasts on the loose.

Scotland Yard said the 24-year-old man was detained in the Brixton Hill area on suspicion of sexual assault and is being questioned.

Nine women have been attacked in a series of incidents in Clapham and Brixton in the past month and police believe they are linked.

Officers are warning women to be “vigilant” and asking them to report anything that makes them feel unsafe.

The latest suspect is the fourth to be arrested by police in connection with the incidents. Two men, aged 34 and 30, were bailed pending further inquiries and a third, aged 32, was also arrested.

Speaking before the latest arrest, Commander Simon Letchford said detectives had not ruled out the possibility of “copycat” attacks.

He said: “It may well be that we have one attacker, it may well be that we have copycat individuals, but we certainly will keep an open mind.”

The suspect is described as a man with dark hair, and as being of a Mediterranean or possibly Middle Eastern appearance.

In the latest incident, police were called shortly after 5.40pm on October 31 after a woman was approached by a man while her back was turned.

The victim called for help after he began touching her and the attacker – whose description matched those of similar assaults – fled in the direction of Landor Road.

The previous assaults have seen lone women targeted late at night in residential areas. All of the victims were aged in their 20s and 30s.

The string of offences began in Clapham on Friday October 9 when a 23-year-old woman was grabbed on SUSPECT: Man on CCTV Clitheroe Road and assaulted, but the suspect ran off after she raised the alarm.

Early the following morning, a man tried to engage a 30-year-old woman in conversation before grabbing her on Deauville Court.

On October 22, a 32-yearold victim was followed along Trent Road by a man who put his hand up her dress.

Three attacks were reported in as many hours on Monday evening, involving women aged 35, 28 and 26.

The youngest of those victims was recorded on CCTV being approached from behind by a suspect as she tried to enter her home.

Two more attacks targeted a 28-year-old woman and another woman aged 31.