ST. JOHN'S (CMC):

Police in Antigua and Barbuda are hunting for a serial rapist or rapists who have left women in fear across the country and prompted authorities to launch programmes to help females protect themselves.

Police Commissioner Delano Christopher said 34 rape cases have been reported between January 2006 and January 2007, but there has been an upsurge within the last two months.

She said the police believe that there could be one or more persons involved in the spate of rape cases reported which occur mainly at night and perpetrated against single women.