TWO men could be responsible for a string of sex attacks in Oxford, it emerged last night.

Police released a second e-fit of a suspect after they said four attacks in the Southfield Road area were not linked to a sex-ual assault in Westbury Crescent.

It also emerged the latest victim bit her attacker as she struggled to break free, something officers hope could spark a breakthrough.

Det Insp Simon Morton, head of Oxford CID, yesterday released an appeal on YouTube and urged women to be careful when walking through the city at night.

He said: “Our initial feelings after the sexual assault in Westbury Crescent was that the incident was connected to the previous assaults in Southfield Road.

“However, certain details have come to light that has led us to believe that the attacker in this incident is different from the man who carried out the previous attacks.

“We have gone back to the victims from the Southfield Road assaults and spoken to them at length, which has led to this new e-fit.

“We hope that by releasing this new image, someone out there might recognise this man and come forward and help us with our investigation.”

The latest e-fit shows the man police believe is responsible for the attacks in Southfield Road in the past 12 days.

A previous picture released by officers relates only to Sunday’s attack in Westbury Crescent, Cowley.

Mr Morton said: “The victim of the most recent sexual assault in Westbury Crescent fought with her attacker and has told officers that she remembers biting one of his hands.

“She is unsure which hand, but feels that it was hard enough to have left a mark. Do you know of anyone matching the description, given that he has a bite mark on his hand? Have you seen a man in Oxford with a bite mark on his hand?”

Early on Sunday morning, a 19-year-old woman was punched in the head several times before being sexually assaulted in Westbury Crescent.

The attack came three days after two women, aged 19 and 20, were attacked by a man in the early hours of Thursday in the Southfield Road area.

Two other women, aged 21 and 24, were also the victims of similar attacks in the area early on Sunday, May 29.

Mr Morton said officers will continue to carry out high-visibility patrols in the areas affected and will be delivering leaflets to nearby homes.

He added: “I would urge women to think about their personal safety while on a night out. Think about how you are getting home and what you can do to make yourself less vulnerable.”

Witnesses are urged to call police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.