More than 20 women come forward after appeal over Zou sex offences

The Met has revealed that 23 women have come forward to make reports to the police following their appeal to trace potential victim-survivors of convicted rapist Zhenhao Zou.

Detectives believe there are still more women yet to be identified, and are renewing their appeal in the hope that further victim-survivors come forward and access specialist support.

Zou – a Chinese PHD student who had been living in Elephant and Castle – was convicted of raping 10 women last month when a jury unanimously found him guilty of the charges after hearing evidence that he had committed both in the UK and in China.

While detectives identified two of the women Zou was convicted of raping, eight remained unidentified throughout the investigation and subsequent trial.

Following the conclusion of court proceedings, investigators also revealed that they had evidence to suggest that there may be more than 50 other victim-survivors who had not yet been traced.

Since the Met’s appeal, 23 women have made reports, and investigators believe there could yet be further victims and survivors of Zou.

Some of these women currently live in the UK, while others are living in China and other parts of the world.

Multiple people have also come forward to share key information and assist with enquires, who officers are treating as potential witnesses.

Commander Kevin Southworth, who leads public protection at the Met, said: “This is a significant step in our ongoing investigation, and I’d like to thank the women who have bravely come forward since our appeal. Our priority remains to offer them the best possible support throughout this immensely difficult time.

“I would also like thank Londoners and the wider public who have shared our appeal and helped us raise awareness of this case – helping to reach further women and witnesses who we believe will be crucial to the next phase of our investigation.”

Dedicated officers are liaising with the Crown Prosecution Service as they build a file of evidence to submit for further consideration by prosecutors. This will follow Zou’s sentencing, which is scheduled to take place in June.

As part of this update, the investigation team is once again appealing for further victim-survivors to come forward. If you wish to speak to Met detectives or make a report relating to Zou, you can contact police via email on survivors@met.police.uk

You can also make a report to police by calling 101 from within the UK, quoting reference 2904/04FEB25.

Zou, 28, of Churchyard Row, Elephant and Castle, was found guilty of a total of 28 offences on Wednesday, March 25 following a trial at Inner London Crown Court.

The offences included 11 counts of rape, three counts of voyeurism, 10 counts of possession of an extreme pornographic image, one count of false imprisonment, and three counts of committing an offence with intent to commit a sexual offence (relating to the drug Butanediol).

Pictured top: The Met’s appeal poster (Picture: The Met)