Met Uses Familial DNA and CCTV to Hunt Suspected Double Rapist

Overview

• Two daylight sexual assaults in south‑east London are being treated as linked: one near the Thames Path in Thamesmead in May 2020 and another in a derelict area of Sewell Road, Abbey Wood on 19 June 2024.
• The Metropolitan Police have recirculated CCTV images and a short clip of an unidentified man and said detectives are actively working through a list of men who share familial DNA with the suspect compiled by the National Crime Agency.
• Familial DNA does not give an exact match but identifies people who may be biologically related to the source of crime‑scene DNA, so officers have travelled across the country to seek voluntary evidential samples from those on the list.
• Crimestoppers has offered a £10,000 reward for information that leads to a conviction and is stressing anonymous reporting through 0800 555 111 while the Met requests tips to 101 or @MetCC quoting reference CAD 3842/30JUN2026.
• Detective Chief Inspector Zoe Hendrick said supporting the two victims remains a priority and investigators hope renewed forensic work and public leads will identify the man and prevent further attacks in residential areas.