A woman was grabbed and punched in one of two attacks on females within the space of 20 minutes in Laindon.

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward after the incidents, which happened at 8pm and 8.15pm last night.

In the first incident, a 23-year-old was approached by a man in an alleyway near Spire Road.

He tried to talk to her before grabbing her by the hair and punching her in the stomach.

Two men heard what was happening and the man ran off as they came to the victim's aid.

At 8.15pm, a 16-year-old girl was then approached on Hatterill, near a bus stop, close to the train station by a man who tried to talk to her.

He then tried to drag her into bushes nearby before another two young men intervened and the attacker again ran off.

Detective Inspector Andy Clarkson said: "We have spoken to the two young men who helped in the second attack but have not traced the two men who helped the first victim.

“We believe they will have important information for our investigation and would ask that they get in touch with us as soon as possible.

“I believe that if it wasn't for these men intervening both of these attacks could have resulted in even further harm and distress to the victims.

“They are both greatly upset by what happened and we are speaking to them to offer support and build up a full picture of what happened.

“These two attacks happened close together both in time and distance and we are looking at the possibility that the same man is responsible for both. If anyone has information which could help our enquiries I would ask them to call Essex Police on 101 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."