Please can I make you aware of a number of linked assaults that occurred between 04/11/24-06/11/24 where the suspect targeted three women.

On 04/11/24 officers were called to the first victims address, where they reported that they had earlier been walking in Amyand Park Road, Twickenham, when a male suspect approached them from behind and assaulted them by placing their forearm around their throat, before the victim defended themselves causing the suspect to run away.

On 06/11/24 at approximately 1950hrs a female victim was approached by a male suspect in Amyand Park Road, Twickenham, who was seen to be undoing his trouser belt as he approached. The victim defended herself and the suspect ran away. A short time later, the believed same suspect approached a woman who was with her son, and assaulted her by grabbing her by the hair. The victim pulled herself free, at which point the suspect ran away.

Officers attending located and arrested the suspect, and they are currently in custody whilst all offences are being investigated by officers from South West BCU Criminal Investigation Department. The motive for the suspects behaviour is currently unknown however there is a clear sexual behaviour present from all the victims reports.

The arrested suspect was previously unknown to the Metropolitan Police Service, and it is believed at this time that mental health is a significant factor in the offending.

We fully appreciate the concern within the community that will likely emerge as a result of these offences, but hope that the arrest of the suspect will provide reassurance. We are currently not seeking the arrest of any other individuals at this time other than the subject in custody.

Please can you circulate this information within your local communities, as we wish to identify anyone else who has been a victim of similar offences in this or other areas that may have been committed by the same suspect. Please ask them to call 101 quoting crime reference 01/1052877/24, or call on their behalf if able and officers will be assigned to contact them.