THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses following three assaults which occurred in Thame. Officers are linking the incidents.
The first incident took place on Sunday August 21, between approximately 2.30am and 2.45am. The victim, a 19 year-old woman, had been with friends in Thame. As she was walking home, along Phoenix Trail, she was punched to her left eye. As she turned around, she saw four men running away, and laughing. The assault caused bruising and swelling underneath the victim’s left eye and she was advised to see a doctor.
The second incident took place on Monday, August 22, at approximately 9.10pm. The victim, a 20 year-old woman, was walking along Gas Alley which links East Street and Wellington Street. She walked past two men, one of which touched her on the shoulder causing her to turn around. When she did so, the second man punched in her eye. The men ran from the alley in the direction of Wellington Street, and the victim heard them laughing. The victim was not injured and did not require hospital treatment.
The third incident took place on September 15, between approximately 9pm and 9.20pm. The victim, a 19 year-old woman, was walking along an alleyway off Elms Road with her four- month old child in a pushchair. She was grabbed from behind by the shoulders, and pushed up against a wall by a male offender, whilst a second male grabbed her pushchair. The offenders 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.
“If you were in the Elms Road area at about 9pm on the evening of the Thame Fair, were holding a torch, and saw two men, a woman and a pushchair please call us on 101.
“We are increasing patrols in Thame and would encourage anyone who feels concerned about these incidents to speak to one of our officers, or to call the Thame Neighbourhood Policing team on 101.
“I would encourage anyone who has any information about the incident to contact police by calling the non-emergency number 101.”
If you do not want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity 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.
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