WOMEN are being urged to be on their guard following a spate of indecent attacks in a North-East town during a ten day period.

All of the incidents have occurred within close proximity to each other in areas of Hartlepool known as Cemetery South and Dyke House.

The first incident took place at 11.50am on November 20, at the back of Sheriff Street, when the man approached a 42-year-old woman and indecently assaulted her.

He struck again only a few hours later at the junction of Murray Street and Grange Road, when he started a sexual conversation with a 13-year-old.

The following day he approached a woman at the junction of Chester Road and Wynnstay Gardens and grabbed her arm.

Although she managed to break free, he grabbed her again, but once again she broke free and this time ran off.

A 16-year-old, walking along Potter Street, was his next victim on Friday, November 23.

He approached her from behind and when she attempted to walk off he grabbed her and tried to pull her to the floor. He ran away when a car pulled into the street.

The next incident was not until nearly a week later on Thursday, November 29, in Hutton Avenue.

He approached the woman from behind and placed one hand around her waist and the other over her mouth and said "come down the alley with me".

The victim believes she may have bitten his right hand before running to nearby houses to get help.

Detective Sergeant Tony Green, who is investigating the incidents, said: "I am obviously very concerned at this person's behaviour. He appears to be increasingly confident and to have local knowledge.

"In respect of his relatively unique facial appearance, ie bad acne, this obviously makes him easily recognisable and anyone who can shed any light on his identification should contact me immediately."

The attacker is described as between 18 to mid-twenties, white, local accent and scruffy looking with bad acne especially around his mouth.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Det Sgt Green on (01642) 302126.