Police today warned teenage girls to be on their guard after two youngsters were sexually assaulted within a mile of each other.

And a head teacher in the area is so concerned about the attacks that he has written to parents to urge their children to take care.

Police said that even though the victim's descriptions about their attackers are slightly different, they are not ruling out the possibility that the incidents in Eccleshill are linked.

They believe the attacker could strike again and fear he could carry out a more serious offence.

The first attack took place at 3.30pm last Thursday. The attacker sexually assaulted a teenage girl and then pushed her to the floor. He is described as white, aged 18 to 20, about 5ft 5ins, with very blond hair.

The second attack took place on a 15-year-old girl outside a newsagent's shop in Harrogate Road, at 7.30am on Saturday. A youth exposed himself to her then carried out a brief sexual assault. He is described as white, aged 18 to 19, about 5ft 6ins, with short hair and black bushy eyebrows.

Hugh Figgess, headteacher at Wellington Middle School, which is near where the two assaults took place, said: "I am aware of an incident near the school. I have told the children to take great care when going home, to avoid any secluded or unlit areas, and I have written to parents to bring it to their attention."

Anyone with information about the two incidents is asked to contact Eccleshill CID on Bradford 376085 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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