Police are appealing for witnesses after three women were attacked in Thame in separate incidents this year, which officers believe are linked.

On August 21, a 19-year-old woman was walking home along Phoenix Trail between around 2.30am and 2.45 am, when she was punched in the eye.

As she turned around, she saw four men running away and laughing.

She is believed to have sustained bruising and swelling under her eye as a result.

The second victim, a 20-year-old woman, was also punched in the eye as she was walking along Gas Alley, which links East Street and Wellington Street, on August 22 at around 9.10pm.

She walked past two men, one of whom touched her on her shoulder. When she turned around, the second man punched her and they both ran from the alley towards Wellington Street, allegedly also laughing.

The victim was not believed to be injured and did not require hospital treatment.

The third incident took place on September 15 when a 19-year-old woman was walking along an alleyway off Elms Road with her four-month-old child in a pushchair, between around 9pm and 9.20pm.

She was grabbed from behind by the shoulders, and pushed up against a wall by a man, whilst a second man took hold of her pushchair.

The attackers were disturbed by an approaching member of the public, and they ran away towards Elm Park.

Investigating officer, PC Gemma Price, based at Thame Police station, said: "We are linking these three incidents because of the similarities in the accounts of the victims.

"We are keen to hear from anyone who has any information that will help our investigation, including residents that live in the vicinity of the incidents that have CCTV.

"We would especially like to speak to the member of the public who disturbed the most recent incident; we don't believe she realised at the time that she was witnessing an assault.”

Police are asking anyone who was in the Elms Road area holding a torch at around 9pm on the evening of the Thame Fair, and saw two men, a woman and pushchair, to call 101.

They have confirmed they are increasing patrols in Thame and are asking concerned residents or anyone with information about the incidents to call 101.

You can also call Crimestoppers (opens new window) anonymously on 0800 555 111.

No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.