Searching for a serial rapist

Crimewatch UK staged a TV reconstruction last week

As an assault on a 14-year-old girl in Hertfordshire is confirmed as the 10th attack by a serial rapist, BBC News Online looks at the dragnet being thrown across the south-east of England.

Somewhere in the anonymous suburbia of south-east England lurks a monster - a callous creature who derives great pleasure from the terror of his victims.

He has struck at least ten times in the home counties, raping girls and women aged from 10 to 52.

In one case detectives said he appeared to get some "sick satisfaction" from ringing the mother of one of his victim's on her mobile phone.

The latest attack occurred on Friday evening as a 14-year-old girl walked along a footpath in Stevenage, Hertfordshire.

On Wednesday police confirmed DNA tests had linked it to previous attacks.

	:	Map of the attacks
Find out where the incidents took place

But who is this man, and how can the police catch him?

More than 100 detectives from five police forces are now working on Operation Orb and they have drawn up a detailed description of their target.

He is white, aged between 30 and 50, of stocky build and between five feet six and five feet nine inches tall.

His victims have also described him as reeking of smoke and alcohol, and the timing of the attacks suggests he frequently drinks during the daytime.

Two of his victims also noticed a pronounced north-east or Geordie accent.

The attacker

White man with leathery, tanned skin

Aged 30-50 and stocky build

5ft 5ins - 5ft 10ins tall

Short dark hair, greying

Gruff voice, possible north-east (Geordie) accent

Heavy smoker and daytime drinker

Kent Police spokesman Mark Pugash told BBC News Online the attacks always happened on weekdays and this may suggest the man works in the south-east during the week and travels home at weekends.

He said the rapist's modus operandi was always the same - he chose wooded areas close to schools, homes or youth clubs and attacked randomly.

He pounced from behind and either punched his victims or produced a knife to back up his threats.

Afterwards he usually takes an item belonging to the victim

Mr Pugash said the level of violence had not increased but he said: "Most of his victims have responded by giving in. I would not want to speculate on what might happen if someone did not."

3,000 men tested

The Operation Orb team has taken DNA swabs from more than 3,000 men but has so far drawn a blank.

Mr Pugash said: "We have thousands and thousands of names on our database now and have been investigating every possible lead.

"It is almost certain that this man is responsible for other offences which have not been reported.

"He will carry on doing this until he gets caught so it is vital that anyone who has any suspicions about a friend, colleague or loved one contacts us."

He said the team was being advised by psychological profilers, geographical profilers and forensic scientists.

The rapist prefers woodland paths (Crimewatch reconstruction)

Assistant Chief Constable David Kelly, of Kent Police, also appeared on the BBC's Crimewatch UK programme last week in an attempt to obtain more clues.

About 500 calls were received and the detectives are still following up some of the leads.

But the case could be solved by old-fashioned police work.

Leaflets have been sent to bobbies on the beat in Kent, Surrey, Thames Valley, Hertfordshire and parts of London asking them to keep an eye out for anyone who fits the description of the suspect.

It could be that Britain's most wanted man will be stopped for drink driving or indecent exposure, and the Operation Orb team want to make sure he does not escape detection.

'Be aware'

Mr Pugash said: "Police officers have also been given advice about how they should act if they come across a woman or girl who has suffered a stranger rape.

"They need to act quickly and preserve the scene, because every bit of evidence is vital."

Detectives have also issued advice to women and girls.

"If they have to use footpaths in or near wooded areas they must make sure they are accompanied and they must remain vigilant - for example don't wear stereo headphones," said Mr Pugash.