Met Police hunt rapists who target victims on dating sites

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Police in London are hunting about 50 repeat rapists, many of whom use dating and social networking websites such as Facebook to target victims.

The suspects also include serial assailants working illegally as minicab drivers and rapists who prey on women at clubs and bars who are incapable through drink or drugs. Detectives say suspects are evading arrest because victims are reluctant to come forward . Now Scotland Yard is to use "proactive" tactics to target the individuals for any offence, if they cannot convict them of rape.

Detective Chief Superintendent Mick Duthie said: "We want to convict rapists for rape but sometimes we just do not have the evidence. We know these people are going to go out and commit other offences so we will use all the powers available to us to get them for something."

Latest statistics show a total of 5,070 rapes in London last year.