Man, 26, arrested after ‘teenage girl raped’ in South West London as cops warn of vigilantes roaming streets
POLICE took a suspect into custody tonight following fears vigilante mobs were hunting a man accused of raping a teenage girl.
It came hours after Scotland Yard warned people not to "take the law into their own hands" over the alleged attack at 7am this morning in Mitcham, South London.
Crowds of locals are said to have visited various addresses earlier today and police said "emotions are running high".
The Met issued an emergency Section 60 dispersal order - giving officers the power to search anyone and instruct them to leave the area.
Tonight the force said a 26-year-old man had been arrested in nearby Tooting just after 8pm.
He was held on suspicion of rape following a call from a member of the public, police said.
It came after an appeal for suspect Kadian Nelson to hand himself in "for his own safety".
Det Supt Owain Richards said earlier this evening: "Police have been conducting extensive enquiries today to locate Kadian Nelson after an allegation of rape was received shortly after 7am.
"A teenage girl is being supported by specialist officers.
"I am appealing directly to Kadian to attend his nearest police station immediately, or to call police and inform us as to his whereabouts.
"This is for his safety, as well as members of the public.
'FEARS OF SERIOUS VIOLENCE'
“I recognise that this is a shocking and distressing incident and emotions locally are running very high.
"We are of course aware of groups of people attending various addresses.
“I urge those people 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.
“You must 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.
“A Section 60 order has been authorised for the entirety of the Borough of Merton and Wandsworth, granting police additional stop and search powers, as a result of fears of serious violence.”
The Section 60 order will stay in place after the arrest, Scotland Yard said.
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Earlier today, Det Insp Laura Semple said: "The victim and her family are receiving support from specially trained officers.
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"We have released an image of a man we would like to speak to and urge anyone who can help us trace him to contact police immediately."
Anyone with information that could help police is asked to call 101, tweet @MetCC, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.