Serial rapist link to fifth attack

The attacks have all taken place in woodland

Police say the rape of a 13-year-old girl in Surrey could have been committed by a serial attacker.

The attack on the schoolgirl happened in the Pyrford Common area of Woking on Friday evening as she cycled along a road.

She was grabbed by a man and pulled into nearby woodland where she was raped.

Surrey and Kent police are investigating possible links with at least four other similar cases in the two counties.

'Take precautions'

Officers are appealing for witnesses to the attack, which happened close to Pyrford Common Road at about 1900 BST.

Detective Chief Inspector Bob Crampton, leading the investigation, said: "All lines of inquiry are currently being followed.

"The investigation is in its early stages and we are keeping an open mind.

"It is too early to say whether this rape is linked with four rapes in Surrey and Kent but inquiry teams are sharing information and are in close liaison.

"Violent assaults of this nature are very unusual in Surrey, but we would urge people to take sensible precautions."

A joint team of Kent and Surrey officers is investigating three attacks this summer and the rape of a 10-year-old in Ashford last November.

Police issued an e-fit after the earlier attacks

Following the attack on the 10-year-old, the rapist is thought to have struck next on 11 July in Redhill, Surrey, grabbing a 30-year-old woman who was 'power-walking' near a common.

A third attack occurred five days later on an 18-year-old woman who was walking through Goldsworth Park, Woking.

The fourth rape, of a 26-year-old woman, was on 7 August in a wooded area in Epsom.

In each case the victim was dragged into woodland and threatened she would be killed if she resisted.

Items of clothing were taken from all the victims.

In most of the attacks the rapist is described as white, aged somewhere between 30 and 45, with stubble and a low or hushed voice.