The detective leading the hunt to track down the Croydon Cat Killer says that the cruel criminal is likely to escalate his attacks to target humans.
The killer, who mutilates and displays his victims, is believed to be responsible for more than 360 attacks since October 2015, many of which have occurred in Croydon.
So far the killer has only targeted animals - mainly cats but also rabbits, foxes, deer and even a squirrel - but Detective Sergeant Andy Collin, of the Metropolitan Police, fears the crimes could escalate.
He told Sky News: "There is a known link between serial killers and harming animals when you look into their dark history.
The Croydon Cat Killer
"If you look at offending patterns the assumption is this killer is getting some form of gratification.
"The concern is they will cease getting that gratification and escalate the attacks to humans, specifically vulnerable women and girls."
He went on to say that there is no direct evidence, however, of risk to human life at this stage.
DS Collin leads Operation Takahe, the Met's long-running investigation into the deaths which works closely with animal rescue organisation South Norwood Animal Rescue and Liberty (SNARL).
The killer began his spree in Croydon, where SNARL played a key role in bringing the attacks to national attention, before expanding to other parts of the country.
A list of recent previously unpublicised attacks being liked to the serial killer has also been released.
It shows there were victims in South Croydon and West Croydon on October 21, a victim in Coulsdon on October 20 and a victim in Wallington on October 17.
In August SNARL issued the first description of a potential suspect.
He is described as a white man in his 40s, between 5ft 8in and 5ft 11in tall and of average build with short brown hair and some acne scarring to his face.
Pet owners have been warned to watch out for a suspicious man shining a torch into front gardens and making noises as if trying to attract a cat's attention.
It is believed that the killer may have links to Addiscombe, as that is where many of the first decapitated cats were found.