TWO teenagers were forced to run for safety after they were approached and grabbed by a stranger as they walked alone at night.

Cleveland Police are appealing for information following the two similar incidents which took place in the Eston area.

The first took place at about 1.50am on Saturday, July 18, as a 16-year-old girl walked alone along an alleyway that runs between Flatts Lane and Clive Road. She was approached from behind and grabbed by the hips before running onto Clive Road.

The following Saturday, at about 11.40pm, a 19-year-old woman was walking alone at Eston Cemetery when she was grabbed to the back of the neck and a man spoke to her before she ran away. The man was described as wearing dark clothing.

Detective Sergeant Rachel Taylor said: “We cannot rule out a link between these two incidents at this time. They occurred within a short distance from each other and the circumstances are similar.

“We would just like to ask people in the area to be vigilant and to take care when walking alone, especially at night.”

Anyone with information relating to either incident is asked to call DS Taylor on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.