A serial burglar and rapist responsible for almost 100 crimes against the elderly has also targeted old men, police revealed today.

According to Detective Superintendent Simon Morgan, the officer in charge of Operation Minstead - one of the UK's largest ever manhunts - the suspect has committed 98 crimes including four rapes, and 24 indecent assaults since 1990.

Many of those assaults have taken place in Croydon, specifically Shirley.

During the fresh appeal at New Scotland Yard, D Supt Morgan explained the sex attacker; a black man aged between 30 and 40, had targeted four men, and indecently assaulted one of them.

The detective also appealed directly to the suspect, who police describe as a gerontophile - because all his victims have been between the ages of 68 and 93.

D Supt Morgan, addressing the attacker, said: "In 1999 you raped an 88 year old and she suffered a perforated bowel and she sadly died very recently. But she lived the last of her years in agony because of what you did.

"You know this has to stop, you know you have to give yourself up to police."

Police believe the man, who is described as having a round face, broad nose and large lips, has a particular knowledge of the Shirley and Orpington area where the majority of his crimes have taken place.

He is said to have an athletic build, wears size 10 shoes and is between 5ft 10ins and 6ft 2ins.

During conversations with victims the suspect has revealed a particular link with Brighton and that his mum died in 2000.

He is also known to have stolen ornaments from victims homes, which police have suggested may have been kept as trophies.

Police also think he may have cared for an elderly relative and have not ruled out that he once worked or still works with elderly people. DNA testing has shown the suspect or his family come from the Caribbean, specifically the Winward Islands, where officers are planning to mount further appeals.

A £40,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the sex attacker's identification, arrest and prosecution.

Anyone with information should call the incident room on 020 8721 4640 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.