Police hunting for serial rapist Joseph McCann arrested the wrong suspect during a nationwide manhunt.

While Lancashire Police were interviewing the man, McCann abducted and raped another victim.

It is one of a series of alleged failings by police, the probation service and prison authorities over McCann, who had been freed from jail by mistake just two months before his rampage.

The 34-year-old targeted 11 women and children what police described as an “unprecedented” campaign of rape, kidnapping and false imprisonment spanning between London and Lancashire.

McCann first struck in Watford on 21 April, where he kidnapped a 21-year-old woman at knifepoint as she walked home from a nightclub.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 18 September 2020 A model presents a creation during the Bora Aksu catwalk show at London Fashion Week 2020 Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2020 World kickboxing champion Carl Thomas during his attempt to run a marathon while pulling a plane at Elvington Airfield near York. The attempt is raising funds for Ollie's Army Battling Against Battens, an organisation campaigning to raise GBP 250,000 to fund a clinical trial aimed at saving the sight of children with CNL2 Batten Disease PA UK news in pictures 16 September 2020 Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner speaking during Prime Minister's Questions UK Parliament/AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 September 2020 People enjoying the autumn sunshine as they punt along the River Cam in Cambridge PA UK news in pictures 14 September 2020 Early morning light bathes the skyscrapers of the City of London, at the start of a week in which the UK is expected to bask in temperatures of more than 30 degrees PA UK news in pictures 13 September 2020 England celebrate after they dismissed Australia's Alex Carey to win the second ODI match of the series at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester PA UK news in pictures 12 September 2020 Protesters outside BBC Broadcasting House in central London, as marches and rallies form across the country calling for a 15% pay rise for NHS workers and an increase in NHS funding PA UK news in pictures 11 September 2020 An empty migrant dinghy floats off the beach at St Margaret's Bay after the occupants landed from France in Dover Getty UK news in pictures 10 September 2020 A view of small boats thought to be used in migrant crossings across the Channel at a storage facility in Dover, Kent PA UK news in pictures 9 September 2020 EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier, left, arriving from the Eurostar with EU Ambassador to the UK, Portuguese diplomat Joao Vale de Almeida at St Pancras International railway station, London, for the latest round of the negotiations on a free trade deal between the EU and the UK PA UK news in pictures 8 September 2020 Dawn over Coquet Island, a small island off Amble on the Northumberland coast PA UK news in pictures 7 September 2020 A hovercraft arrives to Southsea, Hampshire from the Isle of Wight PA UK news in pictures 6 September 2020 Forensics officers near the scene of multiple reported stabbings in Birmingham Reuters UK news in pictures 5 September 2020 Anti-migrant protesters demonstrate in Dover against immigration and the journeys made by refugees crossing the Channel to Kent PA UK news in pictures 4 September 2020 Activists take part in a demonstration against the HS2 hi-speed rail line outside the Department of Transport AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 3 September 2020 Peter Baker, who plays Trigger in the musical version of Only Fools and Horses, sweeps the stage of the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London, after observing a 15 minute silence to show solidarity with those in the theatre industry that have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic PA UK news in pictures 2 September 2020 Kadie Lane, right, 11, and Brooke Howourth, 11, hug on their walk to Marden Bridge Middle School in Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear, for their first day of term, as schools in England reopen to pupils following the coronavirus lockdown PA UK news in pictures 1 September 2020 Extinction Rebellion protesters sitting outside The Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London PA UK news in pictures 31 August Surfers at Long Sands Beach, Tynemouth PA UK news in pictures 30 August Black Lives Matter protesters march through Notting Hill in London in the first Million People March EPA UK news in pictures 29 August A protester reacts as she demonstrates against the lockdown and use of face masks, amid the coronavirus disease outbreak, outside Downing Street in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 August Caribbean soca dancers display their costumes as they promote the first ever digital Notting Hill Carnival, following the cancellation of the normal Carnival festivities due to the continued spread of the coronavirus disease, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 August Father and son team Chris and Sam Milford from historic building conservation specialists WallWalkers begin restoration work on the spire of Norwich Cathedral, which stands at over 312ft high. The first known spire was completed in 1297 PA UK news in pictures 26 August Giant waves at Seaham in County Durham, as the bad weather continues PA UK news in pictures 25 August An assistant at the Wallace Monument cleans the case which houses the William Wallace sword in the Hall of Arms room at the monument near Stirling as they prepare to re-open PA UK news in pictures 24 August Restored World War Two landing craft LCT 7074 is transported from from the Naval Base in Portsmouth to its final resting place at the D-Day Story at Southsea PA UK news in pictures 23 August Jenny Nguyen and Tony Cao, from Vietnam, pose for wedding photos on Tower Bridge in London, as it remains closed to vehicles after it was stuck open on Saturday due to a "mechanical fault". The landmark's Twitter account confirmed only pedestrians and cyclists could use it on Sunday morning PA UK news in pictures 22 August England's Zak Crawley hit 267, joining the exclusive Double Hundred club, on day two of the Third Test match against Pakistan at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton PA UK news in pictures 21 August Harri Teale gathers lavender during the annual harvest on the Wolds Way Lavender farm near Malton in North Yorkshire PA UK news in pictures 20 August Parents and a student react after checking GCSE results at Ark Academy in London Reuters UK news in pictures 19 August Tate Modern workers hold a strike outside the gallery in London, to protest the institution's announcement that it would cut more than 300 jobs from its commercial arm, Tate Enterprises PA UK news in pictures 18 August Two rescued brown bear cubs, Mish (left) and Lucy, cool off in a pool after arriving at their new home with the wildlife conservation charity Wildwood Trust in Herne Bay, Kent. The orphaned pair, who have been living in a temporary home in Belgium since they were found abandoned and alone in a snowdrift in the Albanian mountains, will be acclimatised to their new life in the country before moving to a permanent home PA UK news in pictures 17 August A level students celebrate outside the Department for Education in London after it was confirmed that candidates in England will be given grades estimated by their teachers, rather than by an algorithm. The government U-turn comes just days after Education Secretary Gavin Williamson vowed there would be "no U-turn, no change. PA UK news in pictures 16 August Wasp players take a knee as Northampton Saints stand prior to kick-off in their Premiership match at Franklin's Gardens PA UK news in pictures 15 August Piper Colour Sergeant Lil Bahadur Gurung attends the VJ Day National Remembrance event, held at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, Britain Reuters UK news in pictures 14 August People including students hold placards on Whitehall outside Downing Street as they protest against the downgrading of A-level results. The government faced criticism after education officials downgraded more than a third of pupils' final grades in a system devised after the coronavirus pandemic led to cancelled exams yes AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 13 August Benita Stipp (centre) and Mimi Ferguson (left) react as students at Norwich School receive their A-Level results PA UK news in pictures 12 August 2020 A train derailment near Stonehaven has left three people dead. Driver Brett McCullough, conductor Donald Dinnie, and a passenger were killed when the 6.38am Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen Street service crashed amid heavy rain and flooding BBC UK news in pictures 11 August 2020 A woman hydrates in the sun after open water swimming at the West Reservoir Centre in north London Tolga Akmen/AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 10 August 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson takes part in an archery session as he visits Premier Education Summer Camp at Sacred Heart of Mary Girls' in Upminster Reuters UK news in pictures 9 August 2020 People cycle through Cambridge as the heatwave continues in Britain EPA UK news in pictures 8 August 2020 Healthcare workers take part in a protest in London over pay conditions in the NHS Getty UK news in pictures 7 August 2020 Emergency services make their way along the seafront on Bournemouth beach in Dorset on one of the hottest days of the year PA UK news in pictures 6 August 2020 Alison Murphy poses for a picture by husband Peter as she walks through a field of sunflowers in Altrincham, Cheshire PA UK news in pictures 5 August 2020 Pakistan's Abid Ali being bowled by England's Jofra Archer during day one of the First Test match at the Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester PA UK news in pictures 4 August 2020 The 'Timbuktu tumblers' from Kenya perform their balancing act on the Southsea waterfront as Zippos Circus reopens in Portsmouth Rex UK news in pictures 3 August 2020 Pelicans interact with a visitor in St James's Park in London PA UK news in pictures 2 August 2020 Lewis Hamilton drives with a puncture towards the finish line to win the Formula One British Grand Prix at Silverstone POOL/AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 1 August 2020 Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates with the trophy and teammates after winning the FA Cup, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease Pool via Reuters UK news in pictures 31 July 2020 People enjoy the sunny weather at a Bournemouth Beach Reuters

He gave his name as Joel McCann and the victim passed the information to Hertfordshire Police, who uncovered his real identity hours later.

McCann’s details, including the Ford Mondeo car used in the kidnap, were shared on the Police National Computer (PNC) the same day.

But he was not caught and was able to strike in London on 25 April, snatching two women from the street 12 hours apart in Walthamstow and Edgware.

Both were subject to repeated rapes and sexual assaults, until one of the women hit McCann over the head with a vodka bottle in Watford and builders helped her to safety.

The Metropolitan Police said officers “immediately launched an investigation to identify the suspect”, carrying out house-to-house enquiries, issuing public appeals and analysing hundreds of hours of CCTV.

Investigators drew up a list of potential suspects based on previous offending, but because McCann had never committed a sex offence he was not among the names.

But after the Met released a CCTV image of McCann on 28 April, a member of the public called up and identified him.

Until that point the London attacks had not been linked to the Hertfordshire rape.

A spokesperson for Hertfordshire Police said officers had only been aware of one attack by McCann during their initial investigation, and sought to notify other forces in the “routine” manner through the PNC.

He said if officers had “specific information relating to another police force area”, they would have contacted them directly.

McCann has been found guilty at the Old Bailey of 37 counts relating to 11 women and children (PA)

Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Maghie said Hertfordshire Police had reviewed its response and found there had been a “full and thorough investigation”.

“During this time McCann behaved in a devious way, using a number of tactics to evade capture such as regularly changing his mobile phone and the vehicle he was travelling,” he added. “These frustrated our concerted attempts to apprehend him.”

As a nationwide manhunt started for McCann, police uncovered historical links with numerous areas throughout England.

Detective Chief Inspector Katherine Goodwin, who led the investigation, said officers were receiving conflicting reports of sightings.

“We circulated notices to all forces in the country on 30 April,” she told journalists in London.

“At that stage we were aware he had links all over the country, but there was nothing to say he was there now. That was overlaid with intelligence – people were phoning up saying ‘I’ve seen him here and here and here’.”

She added: “It weighs heavily on each and every one of our minds about if there could have been anything done better or differently.”

McCann remained at large, using wigs, fake names and disguises, until he struck again in Haslingden on 5 May.

Lancashire Police received a 999 call around 10.30am to say a woman had been tied up in her own home and her two children – aged 11 and 17 – were raped and sexually assaulted.

By 1pm, a suspect had been arrested and taken into custody – but he was the wrong man.

While officers were interviewing the suspect, who later became a witness, McCann had moved on to Bury, where he abducted a 71-year-old woman in a supermarket car park and raped her.

That attack happened at 1.30pm, and McCann later used his victim’s Fiat to pick up a 13-year-old girl in Heywood at 3.30pm.

Lancashire Police did not alert the public while they thought the Haslingden rapist was in custody, and said they did not receive an alert from Scotland Yard that McCann could be in the area around 4.30pm.

McCann at a Morrisons in Greater Manchester, where he abducted a 71-year-old woman (PA)

They then declared him a suspect in their case, and released the innocent witness without charge.

“Following the report of the offences in Lancashire our immediate focus was on establishing the facts and supporting the victims who had been through an incredibly traumatic ordeal,” a spokesperson for Lancashire Police said.

“At that stage we were not aware that additional offences had already been committed and were ongoing in neighbouring forces.

“While consideration was given to a media appeal at that time our immediate focus was on carrying out a number of enquiries, including covert enquiries, in order to locate and apprehending the suspect.”

The 13-year-old girl and the 71-year-old victim managed to escape at Knutsford service station, and called police shortly before 6pm.

Greater Manchester Police said McCann was not identified as a potential suspect until 6.45pm, and they “made the informed decision not to release a public appeal” warning locals he was in the area.

“The reasons behind the decision are that our focus was on supporting the identified victims, conducting covert enquiries and supporting colleagues from Cheshire Constabulary who had provided intelligence that McCann had already travelled into their force area and was about to be detained,” a spokesperson added.

McCann made off in the pensioner’s Fiat, which he used half an hour later to snatch two 14-year-old girls in Congleton, Cheshire.

Shortly afterwards, a local police officer spotted McCann’s vehicle at a roundabout but lost him in during the ensuing car chase.

Following a crash with another vehicle, McCann fled on foot and managed to escape, leaving his victims in the car.

But Cheshire Constabulary did not issue an appeal warning that he was in the area until 8.45pm.

A spokesperson said McCann was not confirmed as a suspect for the Congleton kidnappings until the police chase at 7pm, and a decision was made to send out a public appeal after he fled.

Police footage shows serial rapist Joseph McCann being chased and arrested

Road blocks were set up on all roads in and out of Congleton and shortly after 8.30pm, an officer stopped a taxi with McCann in the back.

He fled into a field and climbed a tree, but was arrested after a five-hour standoff with police negotiators.

A serious case review has been commissioned by police and probation services, to look at how McCann was managed by the broader criminal justice system.

The rapist had been freed from prison by mistake in February, when was automatically released after serving half of burglary sentence.

But he committed the crime while on licence from a previous aggravated burglary, which he was jailed for in 2008.

The Ministry of Justice launched an inquiry into why he was not recalled to prison after committing the offence, following his release in 2017, while he was supposed to be monitored by probation services.

That would have ensured McCann was reviewed by the Parole Board, rather than being freed automatically.

One member of National Probation Service staff has been demoted for gross misconduct over the case, and another person involved in supervising McCann was dismissed.

Dr Jo Farrar, chief executive of HM Prisons and Probation Service, said: “We recognise that there were failings and we apologise unreservedly for our part in this. We are committed to doing everything we possibly can to learn from this terrible case.

“We have taken strong and immediate action against those involved in the management of McCann’s case and are taking significant steps to improve intelligence sharing between agencies.