A YOUNG mum's hair was set alight by a pair of robbers in Walcot in what police described as the second suspicious incident in as many days. 

The woman in her 20s was walking her dog and pushing her six-month-old baby in a pushchair around Shaftesbury Lake when she was approached by two men who asked her for a cigarette between 10am and 10.30am today.

When the woman said that she did not smoke one of the men then grabbed hold of her hair and set light to the ends. He then hit her around the face and stole her mobile phone.

The woman suffered reddening to her face as a result. 

On Facebook, victim Siobhan Regan's dad, John, posted a picture of his daughter's singed hair. He said: "My daughter has been attacked and mugged whilst out with my granddaughter in the last hour by two scruffy looking males in Shaftesbury Avenue, Walcot.

"They have set fire to her hair, punched her in the face and kicked her between the legs whilst she is holding a buggy with her baby daughter in it.

Police described the first man as white, slim, with scars on his face and wearing a dark coloured hoody, jeans and a beanie hat. 

The second man is described as white, slim and wearing a dark coloured tracksuit.

PC Kayne Borresen said: “This incident is obviously very concerning and would have been frightening for the woman involved. We are very keen to hear from anyone who was in the area and may have seen these two men and could help with our enquiries. 

“We have also received a report of an incident in the same location yesterday where a woman was approached by a man in similar circumstances but he appeared to be spooked by a member of the public and he made off. 

“We will be increasing patrols in the area following today’s incident and would ask anyone with information to call us on 101.”