The Met (2015- )

In Camden, North London, a woman reports being sexually assaulted in the street. She provides police with a very precise description of the perpetrator: male, black cap, glasses and wearing a black tutu. His distinctive dress tells detectives he is responsible for at least 8 reported incidences of sexual assault and indecent exposure in the area over two years without getting caught. As there is no forensic evidence and no CCTV of any of the offences, officers have few leads.

Weeks later, a member of the public comes forward with the identity of a suspect who matches the description given by police. He is arrested and a search of his house reveals a black tutu. However, while he is in custody there is yet another assault by a man in a tutu – the suspect in custody is ruled out and released without charge. Two years after the first attack, police still have few leads. They believe it is only a matter of time before he strikes again.

In Hackney, East London, an 87-year-old woman is assaulted and robbed outside her home. She suffers bruising to her arm and body and is hospitalised. Detectives investigating the attack obtain CCTV of the victim being followed from the post office to her home and circulate an image of the man on social media. A member of the public identifies him as a patient at a secure mental health facility. Detectives discover that despite having nearly 100 robbery convictions – including many against elderly women – he had been given unescorted leave on the day of the attack.

In Newham, East London, response officers Laura and Omar are on a night shift when they are called to an incident: a woman is shouting for help outside her flat. She has stopped a passing car and told the occupants she's been beaten up by her boyfriend who is still inside the flat. Officers arrive at the address and arrest the man, but the victim chooses not to cooperate with the police, making a charge against the man difficult.