Police are investigating after two incidents where women were dragged away and attacked by a man.

The first incident took place on Saturday (September 12) at around 2.45pm, as police received reports of a sexual assault in The Gravel Pits, Northwood.

A woman, aged in her 20s, says she was she was dragged away by a man believed to be holding a knife, as he took her to a secluded area of the park and carried out a sexual assault.

During the incident a member of the public approached the two and the victim managed to call for help.

Police say the suspect ran off in the direction of Copse Wood Way before it was reported.

Another woman, in her 50s, told officers she was also attacked on Sunday (September 13) at around 8.15am at Duck Pond Park, Ruislip.

She said while she was walking home, a man put his hand over her mouth and said he would stab her if she started to shout.

Police say the man managed to drag the woman off the footpath and into a ditch, but as she screamed the male ran off in the direction of Pinn Way.

A knife was not seen in either incident.

Detectives believe the two cases are linked and police are appealing for anyone who believes they may have seen anything out of the ordinary to come forward.

The suspect is described as a light-skinned black or Asian man, aged between 20-30 years old, around 5ft 8inches tall, of slim build, with a bald or closely shaven head. He was wearing a dark coloured tracksuit at the time of both incidents.

Detective Sergeant Kevin Pandya, from the West Area Command Unit who is leading the investigation, said: “These two attacks took place in broad daylight and we believe the same suspect is responsible for both incidents.

“We want to reassure the community that our officers are carrying out extensive enquiries to try and identify this man and we are asking for the public’s help to find him.”

Anyone with information should call 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD 4511/12Sep. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.