SWINDON women have been warned not to go out alone, following two night-time attacks in the town centre.

Detectives investigating the two assaults this week believe could be linked. On both occasions young women were assaulted in alleyways by a tanned or olive- skinned man.

Det Sgt Gareth Kitchener, of Swindon CID, investigating the attacks, warned women not to walk home alone.

“If you are unable to walk with a friend, partner or colleague and have to walk alone please let someone know where you are going,” he said.

“These attacks were unprovoked and had no clear motive. Whilst neither victim received serious injuries incidents like these are very distressing. It is important that anyone who has any information relating to either of these attacks contacts us urgently.”

The first victim, a 19-year-old woman was attacked from behind and dragged into an alleyway off Corporation Street at around 2am on Saturday.

Her attacker hit her around the head and she received minor injuries before he ran off.

He was described as a tanned skinned man with a deep voice. He was wearing a pinkish or red top with dark trousers and white trainers.

The second attack took place at 6pm on Wednesday in an alleyway between Cricklade Road and Bright Street, Gorse Hill. The second victim, who was also 19-years-old, received minor injuries when she was approached by a lone man in the alleyway.

The offender was described as olive skinned or Mediterranean in appearance.

He had a noticeable foreign accent and was described as wearing a long mid-thigh length black jacket, a dark beanie hat and a scarf over the lower part of his face.

Anyone with information should contact Det Sgt Kitchener on 0845 408 7000 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.