West End rapist in fourth attack

The attacks have taken place in and around St James's Park

A serial rapist targeting women in London's West End has struck for a fourth time.

The Metropolitan Police said the man targets lone women in the Piccadilly area and lures them to nearby St James's Park where he assaults them.

All four victims have been women in their early 20s. The latest attack happened on Thursday night.

The attacker, who first struck in October, is described as about 6ft tall, dark-skinned and in his late 20s.

He offers his victims assistance in getting somewhere or free tickets to events he claims to be promoting.

Police said that in each case the women, who have all been visitors to London, had become separated from friends after leaving a bar or nightclub.

Det Ch Insp Tony Nash urged women in the Piccadilly and West End area to be vigilant during the Christmas and New Year Period.

"Where possible we ask that they stay with groups of friends, and do not go off with or travel alone with men they have only just met," he said.

The Metropolitan Police's specialist crime directorate has issued CCTV images of a man they want to question in connection with the three rapes and one attempted rape.