'Enormous' task of serial rapist hunt

Detectives hunting a serial rapist are beginning the "enormous" task of following up possible leads from more than 1,100 telephone calls.

Officers began sifting through the information following an "excellent" public response to an e-fit of the suspect.

He has struck at least 10 times across the south-east of England over the past year.

Police say they are investigating a number of potential suspects whose names have been passed to them.

The picture was compiled with the help of a 14-year-old girl from Stevenage, Hertfordshire, who glimpsed the rapist's face when he attacked her two weeks ago.

The manhunt, called Operation Orb, is the biggest since the Yorkshire Ripper investigation 20 years ago and involves more than 200 officers from five forces.

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

A police spokeswoman said the calls were being prioritised and all would be checked.

"It's an enormous amount of work, but we're happy to do it because we need the information coming in," she said.

[He] has the opportunity to strike during the day and is not controlled or restrained by work

DS Mark Warwick

The officer leading the investigation into the latest attack, Detective Chief Inspector Tim Stephens, of Hertfordshire Police, praised the "brave" teenage girl who provided the e-fit.

Though attacked from behind, she was able to give previously unknown information about the suspect, including his eye colour.

Mr Stephens said: "She caught a glimpse of him at the first stage of the attack. It's taken her an amount of time to compile this.

"We're satisfied this is an extremely good likeness."

Prison officers

Detectives think the rapist could live in the south-east during the week and return home to the north for weekends.

Det Chief Insp Tim Stephens appealed to the public

All of the attacks have taken place on weekdays and some victims have noticed a faint north-eastern accent.

Police hope medical professionals might recognise the e-fit, as they believe the rapist has a violent history and may have needed treatment before.

They also think he may have spent time in jail, and want prison officers to study the e-fit to see if they can provide any names.

'Risk taker'

Detective Superintendent Mark Warwick said: "We are looking for a male who has the opportunity to strike during the day and is not controlled or restrained by work.

"He does not have to clock in or out of work at a factory, for example.

"He has freedom of movement in the south-east of England."

The rapist is described as a "risk taker" and officers hope he will make a mistake.

It is also thought a current or former partner could help identify him.

Detectives have already ruled out 10 possible suspects from DNA samples.

Major inquiry

The attacks began in south-east England last November and victims have ranged in age from 10 to 52 years old.

Operation Orb hotline

0845 6018109

Police have warned women across the region to avoid wearing headphones while in secluded areas, so they can remain vigilant.

They are also urging anyone who thinks they may have been a victim to come forward.

The suspect is described as white, aged 30-50, 5ft 5ins to 5ft 10ins, muscular, with a medium to stocky build, and tanned, leathery skin.

He has short, dark hair, greying in places, light green or blue eyes, a gruff voice, possibly with a trace of a north-east accent, and is thought to be a smoker.