Police hunting for a man suspected of abducting and raping two women have offered a £20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and prosecution.

Joseph McCann, 34, was named on Tuesday by officers as a suspect in the north London attacks, and has been described as "extremely dangerous".

It has also emerged he allegedly raped a 21-year-old woman at knifepoint in Watford days before in an incident police are treating as linked.

The earlier attack happened on 21 April at around 3.30am in Hagden Lane where the victim was approached and driven around for six hours in a blue Ford Mondeo and then raped.

McCann is a fugitive who was released on licence from prison in February 2017 for an aggravated burglary.


He is said to have a slight Irish accent, and is known to use false names, including Joel.

The Metropolitan Police has warned he could also be wearing a disguise.

Image: The 33-year-old is being hunted by detectives

Detective Chief Inspector Katherine Goodwin 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."

McCann is described as being of muscular build and 5ft 10ins tall.

He has blue eyes, a bald head or shaved blond hair with a light-coloured short beard.

Image: The suspect has a tattoo on his stomach

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

Two women, aged in their 20s, were kidnapped separately in London on Thursday.

The first woman was taken shortly after midnight from a street in Chingford, and the second was taken around 12 hours later at 12.15pm from a street in Edgware.

Image: Police have released CCTV images of the suspect

The suspect drove the women to a hotel in Watford and attempted to book a room at around 1pm but left when he was told none were available.

The women then managed to escape from the car on Osbourne Road, Watford, at around 2.30pm.

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

Police say the women have been left traumatised and are receiving support from specialist officers.

Image: Police are looking for this car

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

:: Anyone who can help is asked to call the incident room on 020 8785 8244 or 999 quoting CAD 3041/25Apr. Alternatively tweet @MetCC and or Crimestoppers anonymously via 0800 555 111.