THERE are increased fears a serial sex attacker may be on the loose in one of the region's cities after a third victim has come forward.

Police have urged women in Ripon, North Yorkshire, to be on their guard after a spate of sex attacks in the past fortnight.

Details have now been released of a third incident in the city, in which a 15-year-old girl was attacked on New Year's Day.

The incident took place at about 8.30pm in the Canal Basin car park when the teenager was grabbed around the waist by a heavily-built man. She managed to hit out and break free from the man's hold before running back to her home.

It is the latest of three incidents in the Blossomgate area of the city and police believe there may be a connection between them.

Inspector Peter Gold said: "There's no direct link been established, but there's been three incidents in the same area, there's very likely some connection but we've got no specific link.

"Clearly, I would suggest all members of the public to take care. On winter evenings, visibility is not quite as good and it's easier for people to lurk in the shadows."

The first incident took place early on Tuesday, December 20, when a 20-year-old woman was subjected to a vicious sexual assault as she returned to her car in a car-park off Bondgate.

She was approached from behind and pushed to the ground.

The attack left her so traumatised she was unable to speak about the incident for several days.

The second incident took place on Thursday, December 29, when a 17-year-old was also grabbed from behind by a man and threatened.

She was able to break free and run away and hide, before summoning help.

The victims of the first two attacks each described their assailant as being a powerfully-built white man, aged between 20 and 30, with a bald or shaved head.

The man was wearing sports clothing and, on the first occasion, the attacker may also have worn a baseball cap.

Both women said that their attacker smelt strongly of alcohol and cigarettes.

In the latest incident, the man is described as about 5ft 8in, heavily-built, and with a beer belly. He was wearing a dark jacket.

Sergeant Steve Snodgrass, of North Yorkshire Police, said: "Police are appealing for witnesses who may have seen this man in the area of the Canal Basin.

"It is urged that anyone with any information about this attack or the other two attacks in Ripon contact police."

Harrogate CID can be contacted on (01423) 539334.