Detectives are linking the death of a 43-year-old man who had met a stranger on dating app Grindr with the rape of another man days earlier.

The body of 43-year-old Adrian Murphy was found at an address in an upmarket part of Battersea, south London, last week.

Tests failed to establish the exact cause of his death, but police say property had been stolen from the premises, and believe he was lured to the flat after chatting with a stranger on the gay dating app.

Police are now linking the death of Mr Murphy, who lived in nearby Wandsworth, to the rape and robbery of a 40-year-old man who had invited a man he had met online to his flat 15 miles away in Walthamstow, east London, five days earlier.

Police fear there may be further victims, and have asked any men who believe they may have been attacked in similar circumstances to come forward.

The Walthamstow rape victim believes he was drugged by the man he invited to his flat on Thursday May 30. He was found unconscious later that day by a pal and was rushed to hospital.

He has since been allowed home, but his flat had been ransacked while he was unconscious and laptops, mobile phones, a wallet and cash stolen.

Detectives arrested a 24-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl on suspicion of murder and theft on Tuesday.

The man was also arrested for rape, and both have been released, pending further inquiries.

Police are appealing for witnesses and any information about either incident, and fear there have been further offences committed before May 30.

The investigation is being led by Detective Chief Inspector Rob Pack, of the Met's Homicide and Major Crime Command.

DCI Pack, said: "We have linked these two incidents through our suspects and our enquiries continue to establish the exact circumstances.

"I would also be keen to talk to anyone who saw anything suspicious on the afternoon of June 4 around Lombard Road, Battersea, anything that looked out of place.

"Enquiries have linked this incident to an earlier allegation of rape at an address in Walthamstow on May 30 at around 1pm.

"Has anything similar happened to you, or someone you know? A meeting arranged online that has led to intoxication, robbery and possibly sexual assault. Please have the confidence to approach my team so we can investigate what happened to you."

Anyone who can help is asked to contact 101, quoting CAD 6467/4 June, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800555111 or the charity Galop or via their Shoutline on 020 7704 2040.