Man arrested for conspiracy to rape after two women abducted and sexually assaulted in north London

Investigators issue CCTV images of male suspect as he attempted to book into Watford hotel

CCTV image showing suspect in Watford (Metropolitan Police)

Detectives investigating the abduction and rape of two women in north London earlier this week have arrested a 33-year-old man on suspicion of conspiracy to rape.

However, Scotland Yard said the hunt for the rapist continued as investigators issued CCTV images of a male suspect as he attempted to book a hotel in the Watford area on Thursday.

He is described as a white man of muscular build, aged in his late 20s or early 30s, with a bald head or shaved blond hair and a light-coloured short beard. He has a distinctive tattoo of the name “bobbie” on his stomach.

Police said the women had been left traumatised by the attacks.

One was pulled into a car from a street in Chingford shortly after midnight on Thursday, before a second was snatched around 12 hours later from a street in Edgeware.

They escaped after a struggle in Watford around at around 2:30 that afternoon.

Scotland Yard said the suspect drove the women to a hotel in Watford and attempted to book a room there around 1pm.

When this was unavailable, he left the premises.

Calling the attacks "appalling", Detective Chief Inspector Katherine Goodwin said the investigation was "making good process" but her team "urgently need the help of the public to identify and trace this man."

She added: “I would ask everyone to take a good look at his image – does this man look familiar? Do you know anyone with the name “bobbie” tattooed on his stomach? Did you see a man matching this description in and around the Chingford or Edgware areas on Thursday, 25 April?

“We believe he travelled around north London and Hertfordshire in his car from the early hours of Thursday and he may have come into contact with other members of the public. Equally he may have abandoned his car somewhere - if an unfamiliar car of this description is now parked on your street, call police straight away.”

The women, both in their 20s, have been left traumatised and are receiving support from specialist officers.

Anyone who can help is asked to call the incident room on 0208 785 8244 or 999 quoting CAD 3041/25Apr, or tweet @MetCC and or Crimestoppers anonymously via 0800 555 111.