Detectives today renewed appeals for help to catch a serial mugger who rips rings and studs from girls' pierced bodies.

The robber has preyed on 11- to 16-year-olds as they are walking or travelling on buses before demanding or snatching jewellery from their bodies.

Detectives are investigating nine offences stretching back to January 2000 which have occurred in Pudsey, Yeadon, Heckmondwike, Leeds and Horbury, near Wakefield. There could also be other incidents dating back to 1998 in Pudsey.

The victims include a 12-year-old girl who had a stud ripped from her naval in Church Street car park, Heckmondwike, in January 30, 2000.

A 15-year-old girl was punched in the face and stomach before her naval stud was stolen in Bradford Road, Stanningley, by an attacker who fled towards the Owlcotes Centre in Pudsey, on April 10, 2001.

On May 27, 2002, a man asked a 15-year-old girl for directions in Aire View at its junction with Aire Grove, Yeadon, then ripped a stud from her tongue.

Today, Detective Inspector Richard Whitehead, who is leading the hunt, said: "While there has not been any sexual assault or serious injury, these incidents are very disturbing."

The robber is described as white, about 6ft tall, aged from late teens to 35, slim to medium with a pierced ear and sometimes wears an eyebrow stud, ring or bar.

At the last reported attack on January 2 in Horbury, near Wakefield, he was wearing a blue fleece jacket, black jeans or trousers and white trainers.

Anyone with information should contact Weetwood police on (01943) 858052 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.