AN anti-violence campaigner has urged anyone who knows the identity of the serial sex attacker targeting women in Oxford to give him up.

Clare Cochrane, of Oxford Reclaim the Night, said friends of the attacker must call the police because they “have a responsibility to both men and women in the city”.

Last night’s appeal came as officers continued to search for a man who has been linked with five sexual assaults in the past 11 days.

On Monday, Thames Valley Police released an e-fit of the man they think could be responsible for the attacks and urged any witnesses to come forward.

Reclaim the Night is a group aimed at raising awareness of violence against women in Oxford.

Every year mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts and grandmothers make a public stand by marching through the city centre.

Ms Cochrane, from the group, said: “It is likely that somebody, maybe the man’s friend, will be aware of his actions and may not want to say anything out of loyalty.

“But they are not protecting him, or women in the city.

“He needs to be dealt with as soon as possible and it is very important that police can stop him.

“Any woman has the right to walk anywhere she chooses, in any state and wearing whatever she wants without the fear of being raped or sexually assaulted.

“But we know in reality is there are people out there who carry out attacks.

“All people need to look out for their friends and show solidarity for one-another.”

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

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.

Thousands of students live near where the attacks happened in East Oxford.

Oxford Brookes University spokesman Edward Reed said: “The safety of our students is of paramount importance and, as always, we would encourage students to follow police safety advice in light of these very worrying attacks.”

The victim of Sunday’s attack described the man as possibly Albanian, in his late 20s or early 30s, 5ft 6in to 5ft 7in tall, clean shaven, of medium build, with dark hair and olive skin.

In the description given following the four other attacks, he was said to be oriental or Asian, in his 20s, about 5ft 8ins to 5ft 10ins tall, of slim to medium build and with short black hair, possibly in tight curls.

dhearn@oxfordmail.co.uk * A police spokesman urged any witnesses to call 08458 505 505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.