A sex attacker with a knife who poses as a policeman is being hunted by detectives who fear he will strike again.

Police are appealing for vigilance after the man preyed on two middle-aged women in Grove Park.

He attacked a 59-year-old woman who was walking down Marvels Lane on Saturday, December 8 at 3.30am.

When she realised she was being followed the woman became scared but thought she saw the man turn into his house. Moments later, he approached her saying he was a police officer and aksed to to accompany him. He led her through alleyways into a car park on the edge of the Chinbrook estate, overlooking Grove Park sports ground.

The woman managed to escape at one point, but the suspect caught her and physically assaulted her. He left at 4.30am, taking her handbag.

She made for the nearest house and called police.

She was taken to Lewisham Hospital where she was given stitches for cuts to her face and treatment for severe bruising.

The attacker had also assaulted a 51-year-old in the early hours of Friday, November 23.

The woman was approached in Lambscroft Avenue by the man, who again claimed to be a police officer.

He showed her a card carrying his photo and asked her to accompany him to his car.

He then walked her into Grove Park sports ground where he threatened her with a knife before subjecting her to a 40-minute sexual assault. When he then released her, the woman ran to a nearby house where she called the police.

Both victims have described the attacker as white, around 25 to 30 years old, 5ft 11in tall, slim and with short, light to mid-coloured hair.

In the first incident he was wearing grey, possibly pin-striped trousers, a grey top and a black nylon hooded, zip-up jacket.

Lewisham police spokesman Detective Inspector Gary Kelly said: "Lambscroft Avenue is a well-populated road and there are many houses in the area which overlook Grove Park sports ground.

"It is possible someone saw this man hanging around in the area at any time on either the evenings of November 22 or December 7 or any other recent date."

Anyone with information should call Lewisham CID on 020 8284 8345 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

December 19, 2001 11:30