Police are appealing for witnesses after several reports of a man sexually assaulting girls in shops in Summertown.

The first of these happened on Tuesday, May 18, when a 12-year-old girl was shopping in Boots in Banbury Road. As she was shopping an Asian man has brushed past her and grabbed her.

He left the store after the girl went to a member of staff to complain.

The second incident was last Thursday, when a 15-year-old girl was shopping in Marks & Spencer in Banbury Road. Once again an Asian man has brushed past the girl and grabbed her as he went by.

The last incident happened on Friday where the same thing has happened to a 15-year-old girl as she shopped in Pen to Paper in Banbury Road.

PC Becky Brown, from the North Oxford neighbourhood team, said: “We believe it is the same man in every case and I am urging anyone with information about these incidents to come forward as soon as possible.

“In all three cases, the incidents have occurred between 3pm and 4pm.

“The neighbourhood team is stepping up its patrols in the area and we want to reassure the local community that we area doing everything we can to catch the person responsible.”

Anyone with information should contact PC Brown via the 24-hour Thames Valley Police Enquiry Line on 0845 8 505 505. Alternatively, you can contact the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.