A HOODED attacker, who stalks women before smashing them over the head, is being hunted .

Police yesterday confirmed he had claimed three victims in Keighley and a senior detective warned women to be on their guard.

As Det Chief Supt Brian Taylor spoke out, plans were being put in place to help women who have to travel alone.

At a press conference yesterday, police warned women to be "extra vigilant," after a series of violent attacks in the Lund Park area.

A 29-year-old woman is the third victim of a seemingly motiveless attack in three weeks. Walking down Kensington Street, towards Oakworth Road, at 8.30pm on Tues-day, she was approached from behind. Suspecting a robbery, she threw down her handbag.

But a man ran towards her, grabbed her hair by the fringe and banged her head on the pavement three or four times. The woman screamed and the attacker fled. She received grazes to her elbow and forehead and bumps to the head.

The attacker is described as white, or light Asian-skinned, in his mid teens to early 20s, 5ft 10 to 11in tall and of a slim to medium build.

He was wearing a black, padded jacket, with the hood up, black jeans and something dark covering his face.

Two similar attacks have occurred within a quarter-mile area. The first involved pregnant 25-year-old Jenny Harper, in her Hardwick Street home, on December 11.

She had answered the door at 6.30pm and been immediately hit on the head with a blunt instrument, like a bat.

As Miss Harper retreated further into the house, she was beaten several times on the head.

She received cuts to her head and a fractured hand and fingers through trying to shield the blows.

The attacker fled when Jenny screamed.

Her attacker was between 5ft 10in and 6ft tall, of heavy build, and wore a black balaclava helmet and a shiny bomber jacket.

The second attack, on December 16, involved a 32-year-old woman in Lund Park. She was walking towards the children's playground, when she was approached from behind and hit on the head.

She fell and was hit again before the assailant ran off.

The victim was treated at Airedale Hospital for a broken thumb and head injuries.

Det Chief Supt Brian Taylor, who is heading the investigation said: "We are now linking these attacks because of the similarities between them, they are on women and the same method was used in them all.

"We think the same man is responsible for all three."

None of the attacks was sexual and nothing was stolen.

A blunt instrument was used in the first two, but not the last.

Det Chief Supt Taylor described the attacks as "very unusual".

"I can't think of a similar occurrence in Keighley and I am thinking back 30 years - these attacks do disturb me," he added.

He urged: "If anybody in the Keighley or the Lund Park area was in those areas at the times mentioned, witnessed an attack, or somebody of that description running or making his way from that area hastily, or perturbed, I would ask them to come forward."

He stressed that the appeal was aimed at all members of the Keighley community.

"Think about it very hard indeed," said Det Chief Supt Taylor.

"The suspect may be a local man. He may live locally, the victims may have seen him in the street or a shop - I am looking at every possibility."

A chilling warning was issued to women in the area.

Det Chief Supt Taylor said: "I would advise women in Keighley - the Lund Park area specifically - to be extra vigilant.

"If you are answering the door, make sure you have established the identity of the man at the door. If you are going out at night, make sure your are not alone."

Anyone who may be able to assist with inquiries should phone the Keighley incident room on 617106.

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