Found on Ananova

A top police officer is sending a personal email to thousands of schoolchildren warning them how to protect themselves from a serial rapist.

Surrey Chief Constable Denis O'Connor is taking the unusual step after nine vicious sex attacks across the South-East in recent months.

Mr O'Connor's email containing safety advice is being despatched to all secondary schools and youth groups in the county.

He said: "I am very aware of the potential for alarm, but feel that I have a duty to give them as much specific information about the offences as possible in order that they can take steps to ensure their own personal safety.

Mr O'Connor's email reads: "Police are working hard to catch a serial rapist who has now struck nine times, eight of those over the past three months. His victims are women and girls aged between 10 and 52-years-old.

"In Surrey he has committed offences in Epsom, Redhill and the Woking area.

"The offender takes considerable risks, attacking his victims on well-used public footpaths or common land adjacent to nearby wooded areas, mostly during daylight hours.

"Police are asking everyone to be vigilant and not put themselves in unnecessary danger by walking alone in the type of locations that the rapist uses. The offender approaches his victims from behind and has targeted cyclists as well as females wearing headphones.

"The rapist is described as a white male, aged between 30 and 50 years old, with short dark hair, of medium height with a muscular build and rough, tanned skin."