Police are urging two men who helped a woman after she was attacked in Laindon yesterday (February 21) to come forward.
The incident happened shortly before 8pm, when a 23-year-old woman 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.
Just 20 minutes later, at 8.15pm, a 16-year-old girl was 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 nearby bushes 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 to build 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."
Anyone with information should call Essex Police on 101 or ring Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
