Police are appealing for witnesses following a series of sexual assaults in Woolwich in the past two weeks which officers are treating as linked to the same suspect.

Three women have been the target of sexual assaults in Woolwich in February, with all three victims describing a black male aged around 16-18.

Detectives from the Met's south-east Command Unit believe that based on the statements provided by all three victims, the assaults are linked and want to hear from anyone who may have witnessed them so they can identify and apprehend the suspect.

The first report was made to police by a female victim in her 20s who was sexually assaulted on Godfrey Road on Friday, February 7.

The attack took place at 5:40pm, with the victim attempting to take a picture of the suspect but without success.

She described the attacker as a black male, possibly of Somali origin, and wearing a three-quarter length coat with a brown/blond fur hood, a black back, dark grey trousers and black smart shoes.

The second victim called police on Wednesday, February 12 reporting that she had been sexually assaulted by touching by a man matching the description provided by the first victim.

The woman, in her 50s, told police she had been walking through a car park near Whitby Road, SE18, when the suspect had sexually assaulted her before running away.

The third incident took place on Wednesday, February 19, when a woman in her 20s reported she had been sexually assaulted in the lobby of a block of flats also on Godfrey Road at around 8pm.

The victim said the man had threatened to stab her when she struggled to defend herself, and described him as a black male wearing a blue coat with a furry hood.

The woman managed not to sustain any injuries, and the suspect fled the scene.

Detective Constable Camilla Price said: “We have three investigations of similar method with a common suspect description.

“Based on statements provided by all three victims, I believe that the assaults are linked and I want to hear from anyone who may have witnessed any of the incidents, or who has information that could help us identify and apprehend the suspect.”

Anyone who can assist the investigation should call the incident room on 0208 284 9100 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.