Detectives are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information to come forward after three separate alleged attacks in Bournemouth and Poole which may be linked.
Officers were called to an alleged robbery on a 21-year-old woman on Bengal Road in Bournemouth at around 11.55pm on Wednesday 20 November.
The victim was on her driveway when she was approached by two unknown men who punched her in the stomach and made off with her mobile phone, bag, iPod and several other items. She was not seriously hurt.
The alleged offenders are both described as white, aged in their early 20s with one wearing a baseball cap and a grey hoody.
The next day, Thursday 21 November, it was reported a 22-year-old man was punched three times in the face as he walked along Wimborne Road, near to the junction with Castle Road in Bournemouth at around 1.15am. The alleged offender was in company with another man. The victim escaped injury and none of his property was stolen.
The alleged offenders are described as two white men, one wearing a red hooded top and the other a grey one.
On the same day a 45-year-old woman was walking her dog along Mickleham Close in Poole at around 6am when she was allegedly approached by a man and threatened with a pick axe. She was not injured during the incident.
The two people alleged to be responsible are described as being white men aged in their early twenties. One was wearing a grey hoody and the other a red top.
Detective Constable Jon Sainsbury, of Bournemouth CID, said: “I am appealing for witnesses and anyone with information regarding any of these incidents to contact Dorset Police at the earliest opportunity.
“At this time we believe all three are linked, and we are keen to hear from anyone who may have information about the alleged offenders or anyone acting suspiciously in the areas around the times of the alleged attacks.“All three of these incidents have left the victims very scared and it is fortunate nobody has been seriously hurt.”
An 18-year-old Poole man has been arrested on suspicion of affray and a 20-year-old man from Bournemouth has been arrested on suspicion of robbery.
Both men have been released on bail until early January.
Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101 quoting incident number 20:456. Alternatively, call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.
