A search has been launched for a male driver after two women were grabbed from the street separately and raped during a “random” assault in London.
Detectives are appealing for information after the women were abducted in Chingford and Edgware, Scotland Yard said.
Both women, who were in their 20s, were found together in a quiet residential road in Watford, north London, on Thursday afternoon.
The first woman was abducted from a street in Chingford on Thursday, 25 April at approximately 12.30am.
The second woman was abducted from a street in Edgware at 12.15pm on Thursday.
Both women managed to escape from the suspect following a struggle in Osborn Road, Watford, at approximately 2.30pm the same day.
The Metropolitan Police said both women were now receiving support from specialist officers.
The suspect is described as a white man of muscular build. No description of the car has been released.
Detective Chief Inspector Katherine Goodwin said: “This was a terrifying ordeal for both women who were abducted by the suspect in separate areas.
“At this stage there is nothing to suggest either victims were specifically targeted for any reason, but both appear to have been selected at random.
“A number of active leads are being followed up urgently including reviewing CCTV footage and forensic analysis. We are also working closely with our colleagues in Hertfordshire to establish what links the suspect may have in that area.
“Stranger attacks like this are extremely rare. That being said, I would urge everyone in these areas to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious to police immediately via 999.”
Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call police on 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD 3041/25Apr or Crimestoppers anonymously via 0800 555 111.