By Tanya Gupta BBC News Online, South East

Police believed no woman was safe while Imiela was at large

A viewer who knew the 49-year-old railway worker by sight rang police after the case was featured.

The programme's fan made the call after spotting Imiela's likeness to an e-fit broadcast on the show in October 2002.

Det Supt Colin Murray said: "Crimewatch was crucial in our investigation and it proved very significant."

You can't go to a programme with seven to nine million viewers and not be prepared for a lot of information Det Supt Colin Murray, Kent Police

It was because of the telephone call that police visited Imiela's house and took a sample of his DNA.

Ten hours after forensic experts confirmed a match between his DNA profile and samples taken after the attacks, Imiela was in custody.

Mr Murray said: "It was a big decision to go to Crimewatch.

"We know that any appeal on Crimewatch would result in a huge amount of information for the police.

"From our point of view, we had to make sure we could manage it and not be overwhelmed.

"You can't go to a programme with seven to nine million viewers and not be prepared for a lot of information - you have to have the resources to act."

Community 'terrorised'

He added: "The best stage in an investigation to go to Crimewatch would be when there's a sense that it's of huge public interest - and when you feel confident that it will move the investigation forward.

"This man was terrorising communities across the South East.

"It was vital that we caught him.

"Crimewatch led to the breakthrough - and for that we're really grateful."

Officers arrested Imiela on the motorway in Kent after finding he was not at his house in Appledore - he was later charged with raping five women and three girls in the South East and the kidnap, indecent assault and attempted rape of a girl in Birmingham.

I don't think women of any age would have been safe it we hadn't arrested him David Kelly, officer in overall command

Kent's former Asst Ch Con David Kelly, the officer in overall command of the investigation, said officers stopped Imiela on the M20 motorway to make the arrest.

He said: "Imiela was not only a very dangerous man, he was very callous. He had used force to overcome resistance.

"I am relieved we arrested him when we did - it is speculation as to how far it would have gone.

"I don't think women of any age would have been safe if we hadn't arrested him."