A Russian teenage girl was knifed in the stomach in an Oxford street by a long-haired robber who stole her rucksack.

The 15-year-old girl from Moscow is part of a group of students on an English course linked to Oxford Brookes University.

After a meal in the city centre on Saturday evening, she and a 16-year-old friend were walking up Headington Road to their accommodation in Cheney Lane.

As they approached South Parks at about 10.30pm, the girls were approached from behind by the red-shirted robber.

As he grabbed one girl's rucksack he stabbed her in the stomach and ran off.

Det Insp Melvin Young, of Oxford police, said: "This was a despicable attack on this young girl and we will do everything we can to catch this man."

Last night a team of officers was patrolling the area on the lookout for the suspect and witnesses.

Today, police advised other foreign students to follow safety tips given to them by their course co-ordinators. This was the first serious attack of its kind this summer.

Det Insp Young said the victim suffered a single stab wound to the stomach and was initially treated at the John Radcliffe Hospital's intensive care unit. He said: "Her condition is not critical and her injuries are not thought to be life-threatening."

Det Insp Young added that officers planned to talk to the girl in hospital once she was well enough. He said language school bosses were trying to get in touch with her parents to tell them about the incident.

"Our children go abroad too and this is something that every parent will worry about," he added. The knifeman is described as white, aged 25, 5ft 10ins tall, and of slim build. He had a long, thin, pale face and was clean-shaven. He had dark patches around his eyes and long, dark hair down his back, which may have been worn in a ponytail.

He headed back towards St Clements with the black rucksack, which contained about £25 in cash and personal papers.

Anyone with information should call 01865 266333.

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