A £10,000 reward has been offered to anyone who can help identify and convict the sex attacker who struck twice in Haggerston within the space of two days.
It comes as chilling footage is circulated by police showing the man they believe is responsible running after a woman in Scriven Street.
The case will feature on BBC1’s Crimewatch Roadshow tonight.
Film to be shown on the programme shows a man hiding behind bushes on May 10 before tailing a woman at increasing speed.
As she uses her mobile phone, the man can be seen grabbing her from behind and pushing her to the ground with so much force the phone smashes and she injures her hand and back.
Thinking she was being robbed, the woman thrust her phone towards him – but he continued to pin her down until a passing car disturbed him and he ran off, police said.
The second incident took place two days later, when a man attacked a woman just after midnight in Hertford Road. The screams of the victim drew the attention of a passing taxi driver who came to help, scaring off the attacker.
Det Insp Paul Ridley said: “I have been in contact with both victims this week. They remain very anxious and upset and one of the victims has had reoccurring nightmares.”
He has drafted in Lee Rainbow, head of behavioural investigative advice at the National Crime Agency, who advises on high profile criminal cases. He believes the man routinely travels through Haggerston, especially late at night.
Det Insp Ridley said: “I am directly appealing to any of his associates, family members or even those with only mere suspicions as to his identity to contact us in confidence. Do you know any man that regularly walks around that area late at night and matches the description?
“The £10,000 enhanced reward from Crimestoppers demonstrates the upmost seriousness that we are treating these offences and our total commitment to identifying and arresting this offender.”
The suspect in both incidents is described as a black man, between 5ft 6ins to 5ft 10ins tall and aged in his early 20s.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Hackney CID via 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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