A man arrested by detectives hunting a sex pest, who may have attacked nearly 100 women, has been released.

The 36-year-old man was seized at his home in south London about 8am yesterday.

He has been released without charge.

He was the fourth person to be taken into custody since the start of Operation Minstead, the massive Met inquiry set up to catch the serial sex attacker.

Police are now investigating 98 offences, mostly in south London, dating back to 1992. Four of his victims were raped and 27 sexually assaulted.

The man preyed on lone women, aged from 68 to 93, by breaking into their homes, usually through a back window, in the early hours of the morning.

In the most violent attack, in August 1999, the victim was raped twice, suffered a perforated bowel and almost died of her injuries.

He often removes light bulbs, disables the electricity and telephone and spends hours with his victims.