MERSEYSIDE Police are stepping up the hunt for a vicious sex fiend who first struck more than 10 years ago. A reconstruction of a number of the indecent assaults and attacks has been filmed for the BBC Crimewatch programme.

The footage will be shown on BBC1 at 9.30pm on Wednesday, September 6, and it will show vital new information, which has come forward as a result of a reinvestigation of the five incidents which happened between 1989 and 1994.

The investigation, codenamed Dragon, has linked all the attacks by DNA, but despite extensive efforts the offender has never been traced.

Detective Sergeant Paul Foster, part of the investigation team, said: "These were horrific crimes that have had a devastating effect on the victims. Some are still struggling to get on with their lives.

"I hope that this reconstruction andthe victims talking about the attacks will jog someone's memory and lead to new information. I am sure someone holds vital information or may have suspicions that could help to solve these crimes." Two of the attacks are being recreated for the programme. The first is a rape on January 20, 1991, near Whiston Hospital, the second is a serious sexual assault that happened seven months later on August 20, 1991, in Church Lane, Eccleston. Shortly before this second incident it is believed that the attacker was seen in the Taylor Park area.

The attacker is described in 1991 as being 5ft 10in to 6ft tall, slim build with mousey brown hair (long on top short at sides), "deep sad, staring eyes" and in his mid 20s. He often had facial stubble, was scruffy in appearance and spoke with a soft Liverpool accent. Police believe he could possibly have changed his appearance since the early 90s.

Anyone who may have any information which can help the police with their investigation into these violent attacks can contact St Helens CID on 0151 777 6171, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.