Vancouver police are warning sex workers to use "extra caution" after two women in the trade were allegedly attacked.

"In the early morning hours of February 19th, a man contacted two online sex workers and requested they attend an apartment in the West End. Once inside the suite, he reportedly confined and sexually assaulted the two 30-year-old women. The victims eventually escaped and called police, but the suspect had fled before officers arrived," reads a news release issued today (February 23) by the department.

Police say Mark Stacy Spelrem, 45, is wanted in connection with this incident. He is described as having "short dyed blonde-orange hair that is spiked at the front and balding in the back".

The VPD release states: "Sex workers, specifically those working online in an outcall capacity, are asked to use extra caution when receiving responses to their advertisements."