'We are jumping at every noise': Residents terrified of 'serial rapist’ stalking women for past 11 years

Residents in an area which has been stalked by a sex attacker for the last 11 years say they are terrified he is on the loose and are "jumping at every noise".

This year, the sexual predator has averaged one attack a month and up to 40 police are working around the clock to track down the attacker being labelled a ‘serial rapist’.

The eight attacks, including six on the northern end of the Gold Coast, date back 11 years and include four rapes and an attempted rape.

DNA evidence has proven that the same man is responsible for four of the eight attacks in Queensland, and now all they need is a name. Photo: 7 News

The predator left his DNA behind in February when he targeted a woman – aged in her 30s - who had recently moved into a unit complex at Southport.

Since the attack, residents located at the Edmund Rice Drive complex told ‘’Newscorp’’ they were terrified the predator was still on the loose.

“We are locking our doors tighter, jumping at every noise – the police need to catch this man,” she said.

The evidence proves the same man is linked to four violent sex attacks on women in their Queensland homes, two of which occurred on the Gold Coast while the others took place in Brisbane.

An incident centre has been set up and detectives are urging members of the public to come forward and help them to build a profile so they are able to narrow down their suspects.

Detectives are urging the public to come forward and help them to build a profile so they are able to narrow down their suspects. Photo: 7 News

Detectives say each of the assaults occurred after dark with the attacker gaining access through unlocked doors or windows before assaulting the women in their own homes.

The predator restrains some victims, others he wraps his hands around their throat.

Regional Crime Coordinator Detective Superintendent Dave Hutchinson said the suspect was at least 25 years old, however descriptions of his appearance varied given victims were attacked in darkness, often just after waking.

“We have four confirmed linked cases of sexual assaults of women in their homes spanning from 2008. This is very concerning and we are putting a lot of resources into finding this man.

“We’re also appealing for public assistance. If anyone has seen any suspicious behaviour - for example an unknown person loitering or been subject to incidents of wilful exposure - we would urge them to come forward with this information and contact Crime Stoppers," Det Supt Hutchingson said.

“All four assaults have occurred at night time, two around midnight and two around 3am.

"The age of the women assaulted has ranged from in their 20s, 30s, 50s and 60s.

"Our detectives and intel analysts are continuing to work-up and add to our profile on this offender, including examining police reports on sexual assaults that have occurred.”

Det Supt Hutchinson said it was possible the attacker had lived or worked in the northern end of the Gold Coast and travelled to Sunnybank and Springwood to commit the crimes.

He urged members of the public to report anyone who may fit the profile as well as any previously unreported "Peeping Tom" or wilful exposure cases in the area.

"All we need is that one piece of information," he stressed on Wednesday.

"I'm sure there is a member of the public out there who will have some suspicions about a particular person - all we need is a name."

The female victims of the four attacks linked by DNA range in age from 20 to 64.

The latest happened on February 14 when the man entered a bedroom window at Southport, assaulting a woman in her 30s about 3am.

It came a month after a 20-year-old woman woke in her Sunnybank home just before 3am to find the man with his hands around her neck. He sexually assaulted her and fled.

On November 26 last year, a 64-year-old woman was disturbed by him in the kitchen of her Springwood home just after midnight.

He restrained and threatened to sexually assaulted her but for reasons not known, released her and fled.

In Coombabah on October 2008, the man sexually assaulted a woman in her 50s in her bedroom just after midnight.

Det Supt Hutchinson said he had also been linked to attacks in Molendinar on March 28 this year, Southport on August 25 last year, Southport on 29 March 2008 and Runaway Bay on December 5 2005.

Anyone with information which could assist with this matter should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.