Hunt for Birmingham rapist after three Soho Road attacks in one hour

A manhunt is underway for a suspected rapist after three woman were attacked in the space of an hour in Birmingham.

CCTV footage has been released of the man police believe was behind the attacks, which all took place in the Soho Road area on Sunday September 1.

The sex attacker is believed to be of eastern European origin and have several tattoos.

Firstly a 35-year-old woman was raped and robbed of her necklace after being followed by the man from Soho Road to Waverhill Park at about 10.15pm.

She suffered multiple fractures to her arms as she tried to fight off her attacker, police said.

Minutes later a 46-year-old was robbed of her handbag in Soho Road before two passers-by chased the thief down and retrieved the bag.

CCTV then shows the same man attacking an unknown female in nearby Rookery Road.

West Midlands Police has launched an investigation and shared CCTV images of the man they believe is responsible.

He is described as eastern European, in his late 20s to early 30s, with dark brown hair and a goatee beard.

He was wearing a white t-shirt, ripped blue jeans and a black leather jacket with a diagonal zip.

Victims have also described the offender as having a tattoo on his right bicep, a circle tattoo on his neck and another tattoo on his right hand.

Superintendent Ed Foster from Birmingham West Police Unit, said: “We’re looking at three very nasty attacks on women in a short period of time.

"The first victim suffered multiple fractures to her arm as she tried fending off the attacker.

“The women have provided a good description of the attacker including details of tattoos on his arm, leg and neck.

“We need to trace this man immediately and I’d urge anyone who believes they recognise him, or may have seen him in the area, to get in touch.

“We also need to trace the third victim or indeed anyone else who may have been attacked by the man but not reported the incident to police.

“All information will be handled with the utmost confidence…we just want information that will help us catch the offender and protect the public.”

People can call WMP on 101 or Live Chat via WMP Online; alternatively contact the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.