Joseph McCann has been arrested in connection with the abduction of two 14-year-old girls and is being investigated over other attacks in several parts of the country - including the rape of an 11-year-old boy.

McCann was found in a tree on a rural lane just outside the Cheshire town of Congleton, following road checks and closures.

Police deployed negotiators to talk to the man and he was taken into custody in the early hours of Monday morning after a stand-off with officers overnight.

Image: The suspect, pictured in the back of a police car with a rucksack in front of his face

Two women had earlier been forced into a car in Congleton.

Police said the 34-year-old is now being investigated over seven incidents across Cheshire, Manchester, Lancashire, London and Hertfordshire between 21 April and Sunday.


The attacks involved a total of 12 victims, aged between 11 and 71, the Metropolitan Police said.

Commander Simon Rose said the incidents were "grotesque and appalling" and added the force is relieved he has now been detained, adding that "England is a safer place".

He said it is "impossible" to know whether there are further victims and he appealed for anyone who fear they may have been attacked to come forward.

He urged people who have been in contact with the suspect between February, when he was released from prison, and May to come forward.

Mr Rose said: "I think we're exceptionally relieved that he's in custody and exceptionally grateful for the help and support we've had of so many members of the public in all the calls.

"These were and they are a grotesque and appalling series of offences that are thankfully exceptionally rare so it's extremely important that he is in custody and that England is a safer place."

Sky News correspondent Tom Parmenter was at the scene of the late-night capture of McCann.

Image: It is thought McCann is connected to the abduction of two women in Cheshire

He said: "After nine hours pursuing their suspect the police tracked him to some open fields just on the northern edge of this market town.

"At one stage the man had climbed a tree to try and evade capture but trained negotiators managed to resolve the standoff."

Image: Police helicopters monitored the scene from above during the standoff

He added: "Shortly before 3am the teams emerged from the darkness walking along a footpath towards us and their suspect was driven away in the back of a police vehicle - his face hidden from view.

"A Cheshire police officer confirmed to us that he would be taken into custody for questioning."

McCann was suspected of being connected to the abduction of two women on Sunday.

The women were forced into a black Fiat Punto in Congleton town centre, Cheshire, at around 6.45pm.

The suspect, realising he had been spotted, hit a car as he attempted to flee. Running away on foot, the women were left in the car. They were unhurt but "extremely shaken".

Image: McCann was wanted for questioning over the three rapes and two abductions

The 34-year-old was already being hunted by the Metropolitan Police in connection with the abduction and rapes of three women in London.

McCann is suspected to have abducted two women in their 20s off the streets in north London on Thursday, 25 April, in separate incidents.

The first woman was abducted from a street in Chingford in the early hours, while the second victim was taken from Edgware just 12 hours later at just after midday.

At around 2.30pm, they managed to escape during a struggle with the suspect at Osborne Road in Watford.

A third attack on a 21-year-old woman in the town, in the early hours of Sunday, 21 April, is being jointly investigated by the Metropolitan and Hertfordshire police.

Police believe the women were targeted at random.

:: Anyone who can help is asked to call the incident room on 020 8785 8244. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously via 0800 555 111.