TOURISTS have been targeted by a knife-wielding would-be robber in the latest in a string of attacks on visitors to Oxford, police revealed today.

The knifeman cycled up to a 54-year-old American woman and her daughter in New College Lane at about 4.30am on Monday.

He pulled out a knife and demanded they hand over their mobile phones, but they ran away and escaped, leaving him empty-handed.

Just 45 minutes later, the same man cycled up to a 22-year-old Spanish foreign language student who was taking photographs at the riverbank in Christ Church Meadow.

He held a knife to his face and demanded his camera, but the student turned and fled with his camera.

Det Sgt Matt Jarman, of the Oxford robbery team, said: “Both of these crimes have seen visitors to our city targeted and this is something we will not tolerate.

“We will be increasing patrols in these areas and we would like to reassure people we are doing everything in our power to ensure this person is caught as soon as possible.”

The robber was described as white, aged between 20 and 25, between 5ft 8in and 6ft tall, with short dark hair, brown eyes and was riding a dark-coloured mountain bike.

It was the latest in a string of attacks and robberies on foreigners this summer.

On Monday, July 6, a 25-year-old Canadian tourist was attacked with a hammer in Little Clarendon Street, Jericho.

Days later, seven robberies were carried out in Blackbird Leys, including five on foreign language students.

Anyone with information should call police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.