Police have urged a man to turn himself in immediately in connection with an alleged abduction and rape in Merton. 

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that they were called to the North Place area, in south-west London, just after 7am on Tuesday and have since named Kadian Nelson, 26, as a person they want to speak to. They said a teenage girl is being supported by specialist officers and a crime scene is in place with local officers patrolling the area. 

Although there have been no arrests yet, they released a photograph of Nelson and urged him to come forward ‘for his own safety’, amid reports of vigilante groups trying to find him.

Detective Superintendant Owain Richards said: ‘Police have been conducting extensive enquiries today to locate Kadian Nelson after an allegation of rape was received shortly after 7am to the North Place area on Tuesday, 3 November. 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.

Mr Richards continued: ‘I recognise that this is a shocking and distressing incident and emotions locally are running very high. We are of course aware of videos and images circulating on social media, and 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.’

The force also asked people to remember that a police investigation is currently ongoing and that they should be ‘mindful of sharing information via social media that could identify the alleged victim, or affect any potential future proceedings’.

Earlier, Detective Inspector Laura Semple, of the South West Command Unit, said: ‘The victim and her family are receiving support from specially trained officers. 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.’

Pictures and videos have been circulating on social media claiming that a witness followed and filmed the attacker abduct the victim, with some accounts listing an unconfirmed name and address for the suspect. 

Siobhain McDonagh, the MP for Mitcham and Morden, posted a statement on Twitter that said: ‘My heart goes out to the young girl who was abducted in Mitcham on her way to school this morning. 

‘The extraordinary bravery of a lady who followed and filmed them has almost certainly saved the victim from even further distress and has provided the police with extremely important evidence for what I sincerely hope will be the swift apprehension and the early arrest of the attacker.’

Any witnesses or those who have information that could assist police are asked to call 101 ref CAD 1063/3 Nov.

Alternatively tweet @MetCC, or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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