Police are searching for suspects following a spate of muggings near the Oxley Halls of Residence.

The street robberies took place last Saturday and Sunday on Otley Road.

In one of the incidents, a 19-year old woman was approached by two men at 12.10pm on Saturday.

The woman had her handbag snatched by the muggers, however the bag fell to the floor after the thieves lost their grip. The victim’s iPod, bank cards and cash were all taken.

One mugger was described as a very dark skinned black male, aged 18 to 20 and standing at 5ft 9ins tall, wearing a light grey marl hooded top. The other was described as white, aged 18 to 20 and about 5ft 6ins tall. The second mugger was wearing a white hooded top with a zip.

In the second incident on Sunday, a 19-year old man was approached in the same area at 12:30pm.

The victim was violently assaulted, being pushed against a fence and later punched in the face after one of the muggers demanded he hand over his cash.

Only the man’s headphones were stolen, and they were later recovered by police at the scene.

One of these muggers were as white, aged about 17 to 18, slim, with short dark blond shaved hair and a black-hooded top, while the other was described darker skinned with a big nose, also aged 17 to 18 and also wearing a black hooded top.

The incidents are not currently being linked by police. The local policing team are currently liaising with university security over the incidents.

Anyone who witnessed either incident or who has any information is asked to contact PC 3579 Simon Goldie at Weetwood Police Station via 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Sean Hayes