A pensioner was injured when a youth on a bike attempted to mug her outside a bank.

The incident is one of a series of robberies detectives from Oxford police's robbery team have asked for public help to solve.

The 68-year-old woman had just withdrawn £250 from Barclays Bank in Headington, when a youth on a bike sped past her and tried to snatch her handbag, between 2.30pm and 3pm on Thursday in Old High Street, April 1.

The woman, from Old Marston, who asked not to be named, has back problems, which affects how easily she can walk. She was taken by surprise but the youth failed to get her bag.

Dc Marc Tarbit. of Oxford police, said the incident was thought to be linked to a theft in which a youth on a bicycle rode alongside a 65-year-old woman and stole a handbag from the basket of her bike in St Leonard's Road, Headington.

Police are examining CCTV footage after two 16-year-old Cheney School students were robbed by two men and a woman who followed the boys after attempting to sell them drugs.

The youths refused the drugs and kept walking, but the gang caught up with them in Chapel Street, beside the Tesco in Cowley Road. They threatened to beat up the two boys who handed over wallets and cash, at about 4.30pm on Thursday.

Detectives have renewed their appeal for a good samaritan to come forward after a 17-year-old girl was robbed at knife-point a week ago. A man robbed her of her bag on steps near St Giles Church graveyard in St Giles, Oxford, at about 11pm on Friday, March 26.

A 50-year-old man, who was part of a group, came to the teenager's aid and chased the robber around the church, but gave up after he was also threatened with the knife.

Call Oxford police on 08458 505505 with information.