Serial rape suspect questioned

The manhunt is the biggest for 20 years

Detectives are questioning a married man from Kent in connection with the attacks on 10 women and girls in the South East.

The 48-year-old from Ashford in Kent was arrested at 2330 GMT on Monday as part of Operation Orb, started to catch the serial rapist.

He was stopped near junction five of the M20 motorway, and is being held at a police station in Kent.

Officers are also searching his house.

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

Detective Superintendent Mark Warwick, of Thames Valley Police, and acting head of Operation Orb, said the arrest was being treated as part of the ongoing inquiry.

"Inquiries are still continuing, and it is still too early to say whether the man will be charged," he said.

DS Mark Warwick said the inquiry is ongoing

The man wanted by police has carried out a string of attacks on women and girls aged from 10 to 52 years old over the last year.

Operation Orb brings together more than 100 officers from five police forces in Kent, London, Surrey, Hertfordshire and Thames Valley.

It is the biggest manhunt since the Yorkshire Ripper investigation 20 years ago.

The team has been advised by psychological profilers, geographical profilers and forensic scientists.

Computer image

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

After the most recent attack - on a 14 year old girl in Hertfordshire - a computer generated image of a suspect was released.

Thousands of people called detectives in response, many suggesting names.

So far, the linked attacks include five in Surrey, two in London and one each in Kent, Berkshire and Hertfordshire.