Met Police taking mouth swabs of local men to track down dangerous killer in London E17

Crime Desk

The case of a serial murderer and rapist in Walthamstow east London has lead the Metropolitan Police to deploy "FBI tactics" to track down one of the most serious cases of its kind in London.

Experienced detectives from all over the capital are being drafted in to help track down the suspect who attacks women towards the end of the month and has been described as having "dark skin aged between 30 to 36 and about 5ft 8in to 5ft 10in tall speaking with an accent".

The suspect he has already murdered a local woman Michelle Samarweera 35 who was captured on CCTV on May 30 at 1:15am leaving a local supermarket with two bags of shopping, her body was found in a small park in Queens Road at 5am.

Other attacks include a rape on a woman on March 24 on Queens Road, a rape on St James Street on April 22 and the murder of Michelle Samaraweera on May 30.

The Met is now requesting all local men fitting the description to provide a mouth swab voluntarily, if they refuse they will be faced with further investigation.

The police according to local residents are patrolling the Lea Bridge Road, Hoe Street, and Walthamstow Central with increased resources with one Walthamstow local Mustafa Ismail underlining the concern in the area:

"We want this animal caught all local residents want to help the police, I know at my mosque people are only too happy to help.  Next time it could be my wife or daughter".

Anyone with any information should contact the Metropolitan Police immediately by phoning 0300 123 1212

photo credit: London Daily News (for illustration only)