Man arrested over black cab rapes

In the latest attack the victim was picked up at London Bridge

A man has been arrested by police investigating a taxi driver who pretends he has won money before drugging and raping female passengers.

Police think the driver struck at least five times, picking up his victims in a black cab in the Oxford Street, Kings Road and London Bridge areas of London.

He offered his victims a spiked glass of champagne to celebrate his win before assaulting them.

Officers believe there may be more victims dating back to 2005.

The suspect, aged in his early 40s, was arrested at an address in south-east London.

FIVE LINKED ATTACKS 5 February: A 33-year-old woman flagged down a cab in Tooley Street near London Bridge railway station and was subjected to a serious sexual assault as she was driven to her home in south-west London 3 January: A 29-year-old woman who flagged down a cab between Tower Hill and Aldgate was attacked as she was driven home to east London 21 December 2006: Two women got into a cab in Oxford Street, central London. After one got out, a short distance away the second woman, aged 25, was attacked en route to her home in south London 14 October 2006: A 23-year-old woman who got into a cab on Kings Road, Chelsea, was attacked as she was taken to an address nearby 16 June 2005: Police are investigating the circumstances of a fifth similar attack in London on this date

Detectives have begun trawling through their records of sex crimes since 2005 after an incident earlier this month led them to believe a serial attacker was behind the crimes.

Police said the most recent attack took place on 5 February after a 33-year-old woman was picked up near London Bridge Station.

The victims were aged between 17 and 33 and had all been out drinking with friends before the attack.

Det Ch Insp Tim Grattan-Kane said toxicology tests were under way to identify what kind of drug was used.

He said the victims have been told by the driver that he had won up to £50,000 and shown money to them before offering them a drink to celebrate

Mr Grattan-Kane said: "He has then continued to drive the victim to their original location and on the way has stopped.

"He has got into the back of the cab and the women have been subjected to a sexual assault."

They were then driven to their original location and the victims complained of feeling powerless and suffering memory loss.

The officer said some of the attacks may have lasted up to three hours.

He appealed for any other women who over the last few years have had a similar experience to contact police

The officer added: "I think there are at least five attacks and there may be even more. There could be an awful lot that are unreported out there."

A helpline has been set up for anyone who suspects they may have been a victim. The number is 020 7321 7359.