Chingford and Edgware abduction and rape investigation names wanted man

Picture: Joseph McCann

Detectives have named a man wanted in connection with the abduction and rape of two women from Chingford and Edgware.

Based on information received as a result of an earlier appeal, police now believe the man they are looking for is 33-year-old Joseph McCann.

McCann has links to Watford in Hertfordshire, Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire and Ipswich in Suffolk and is known to use false names, most recently Joel.

McCann is described as being of muscular build and 5ft 10ins tall with blue eyes, a bald head or shaved blond hair with a light-coloured short beard.

He has a slight Irish accent and is described as having a distinctive tattoo of the name ‘bobbie’ on his stomach.

Officers believe McCann may attempt to disguise his appearance.

The CCTV image was captured by cameras at a hotel in the Watford area around 1.00pm on 25 April. 

McCann has been known to use the false name Joel

The first woman had been abducted from a street in Chingford at around 12.30 am on 25 April while the second woman taken from a street in Edgware 12 hours later at 12:15am.

The women were driven to the hotel in Watford where an attempt book a room was made around 1pm. When this was unavailable, the suspect left the premises.

Later around 2:30pm, a struggle between the women and the suspect took place on Osborne Road in Watford and the women managed to escape.

Officers are still to trace a silver or grey-coloured Ford S-Max people carrier with false registration plates in connection with the offences.

Detective Chief Inspector Katherine Goodwin, from the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: “We would ask anyone with any information about McCann’s whereabouts to contact us immediately – McCann is considered extremely dangerous and a risk to the public and we ask people not to approach him, but instead call 999. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers. It is vitally important we trace him in connection with these offences.

“My team continues to work around the clock and we are making progress in furthering the investigation.”

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

Officers investigating are treating it as two random but linked attacks and is being led by officers from the Homicide and Major Crime Command, supported by other specialist and local officers as well as Hertfordshire Constabulary.

A 33-year-old man arrested on 28 April on suspicion of conspiracy to rape has been released under investigation.