DETECTIVES in Bournemouth have launched an investigation after two women were assaulted in north Bournemouth over the weekend of September 26 and 27.

Police are appealing for witnesses and say they are keeping an open mind as to whether the two attacks are linked.

In the first incident a 40-year old woman from the Bournemouth area was seriously sexually assaulted at the rear of the Pelham’s community centre in Kinson.

The incident happened between 11pm on the Saturday and 6.50am on the Sunday. Police are now trying to establish the exact time of the assault.

The area behind the community centre was sealed off and a detailed forensic examination of the scene was carried out by specialist crime scene investigators. The attacker is described as white, 40 years old, 5ft 7ins to 5ft 8ins with blond hair. He was wearing a grey hooded top and blue jeans.

Detectives are keen to hear from anyone who saw or heard any suspicious, unusual or out-of-the-ordinary activity in the area of the community centre late on the Saturday evening or the following morning.

In the second incident, a 19-year old woman from Bournemouth was walking to a friend’s house in Kinson when she was grabbed by a man and assaulted between 9.30pm and 10pm on the Sunday.

The attack happened in Kinson Road, close to its junction with Canford Avenue where there is a telephone kiosk.

The woman managed to run away and raise the alarm with a friend at a nearby house.

The man involved in this incident is described as white, aged in his mid-20s, 5ft 7ins to 5ft 9ins and with blond hair. He was wearing a grey hooded top.

The scene was also sealed off by police while crime scene investigators carried out a detailed forensic examination of the area.

Officers have been carrying out house-to-house enquiries in the vicinity of both incidents.

Detectives are keen to hear from anyone with information – no matter how unimportant or irrelevant they may believe it to be – and all calls to Dorset Police are treated in the strictest confidence.

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police on 01202 222222 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.