Rape suspect Kadian Nelson urged to hand himself in - BBC News
Officers urge groups of people searching for Kadian Nelson to "go home and allow us to do our jobs".
Police released an image of a man wanted in connection with the attack in south-west London

Police have urged a rape suspect to hand himself in "for his own safety" amid reports he is being hunted by groups of people.

Kadian Nelson, 26, is wanted in connection with an attack on a teenage girl in south-west London.

The Met Police, which earlier released an image of Mr Nelson, appealed for him to come forward.

Det Supt Owain Richards also urged those "attending various addresses" in a bid to find him to "go home".

"Do not try to take the law into your own hands or you may end up doing something you regret and potentially face police action yourself," he said.

Officers said the victim was reportedly assaulted shortly after 07:00 GMT near North Place, Colliers Wood.

Video shared on social media appears to show a girl being approached from behind before being forced into a side street by a man.

In the clip, a woman can be heard asking the man whether he knows the girl.

He then walks away, and the girl is heard to cry: "Thank you, thank you".

Referring to the footage in a tweet, Mitcham and Morden MP Siobhain McDonagh said the girl had been on her way to school when she was attacked.

"The extraordinary bravery of a lady who followed and filmed them has almost certainly saved the victim from even further distress," she said.

The video "has provided the police extremely important evidence for what I sincerely hope will be the swift apprehension and the early arrest of the attacker," Ms McDonagh added.

Kadian Nelson is believed to be from the Mitcham area

Det Supt Richards said he recognised the attack was "shocking and distressing and emotions locally are running very high".

But he urged the public to "allow us to do our jobs".

"It is imperative that we follow the right processes as we investigate this incident as any interference could potentially affect proceedings further down the line." he said.

A Section 60 stop and search order has been authorised for Merton and Wandsworth areas.

People have been warned to not share information via social media which could identify the girl or affect any future proceedings.

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