Police are appealing for Lambeth residents who suspect they could have been abused by a paedophile to come forward after a man was finally caged last week for a string of sexual offences committed more than 30 years ago.

Philip Vivian Thompson, 70, was found guilty at Inner London Crown Court on April 29 of sexual offences involving two children in Brixton that took place between 1977 and 1983.

He was convicted of eight counts of buggery, indecent assault, and taking indecent images of the two boys when they were aged between nine and 15.

But police believe the predator “undoubtedly” abused other children and have asked others to come forward.

Acting Detective Inspector Tim Irwin, who investigated the abuse for the Met's paedophile unit, said: "Thompson is an unrepentant paedophile who preyed on vulnerable children who came in to contact with him.

"He had a particular preference for young boys, but I have good reason to believe he also abused young girls.

“There are undoubtedly other victims of Thompson's who have not yet come forward.

"I would urge anyone who has been the victim of sexual abuse by Thompson, or anyone else, to make contact with the police where they will be treated with respect and their allegations will be taken seriously."

Thompson’s abuse of the two boys went unreported for nearly 20 years until 2002 when the offences were brought to the attention of police by the first victim.

Thompson abused the boys after gaining the trust of the mother of one of the victims, who lived in his street in Brixton.

He took one boy to his home and plied him with drink and drugs before abusing him.

When the police investigation started, Thompson was traced to Thailand in 2003, where he was arrested by Thai authorities.

But he is believed to have fled to South America while on bail awaiting extradition to the UK.

He was finally arrested and charged in November 2009 after entering the UK at Heathrow Airport following a flight from Mexico.

Thompson will be sentenced at Inner London Crown Court on June 10.