TWO men were last night in police custody after two women were raped in Oxford.

The separate attacks both happened between 2am and 3am on Saturday, one in the city centre and one in Headington.

One woman in her late teens was raped in Brewer Street, St Ebbe’s, after leaving the Camera nightclub with a black man in his 20s whom she had met earlier that evening. A second woman was attacked by a grey-haired white man in a hooded jacket who followed her into a Headington flat.

While police would not confirm if the victims were students, the attacks came at the end of Freshers’ Week prompting calls for extra vigilance and a greater police presence on the streets.

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Det Insp Ian Wood, who is investigating the Headington incident, moved to reassure the public that there were extra patrols in the area.

He told the Oxford Mail: “If anyone has any concerns they can approach an officer or call the Neighbourhood Team on 101.”

And Det Sgt Nicole Murphy, investigating the St Ebbe’s incident, said: “We take all reports of this nature seriously and a thorough investigation is now in progress. The victim is being supported by specially-trained officers.”

Oxford City Council leader Bob Price urged extra vigiliance following the attacks.

He said: “Oxford has a reputation for being a safe place and the police have done a very good job in the last five years or so in tackling the post-nightclub problems there were before that.

“Everyone needs to be aware of the potential dangers and not to get separated from friends, as well as making sure they get in taxis or buses from the city centre.”

The city council is a partner of the Nightsafe Oxford scheme, alongside other agenies including the police, Oxfordshire County Council and NHS Oxfordshire, to tackle alcohol-related crime and antisocial behaviour.

Mr Price said the programme will have to “step up a gear” as new undergraduates arrive in the city and other students return.

Oxford Brookes University Freshers’ Week was held last week and Oxford University Freshers’ Week starts on Monday, October 6.

Mohammed Altaf-Khan, city councillor for Headington and the shadow member for public health, called for a greater police presence, particularly over busy weekends.

He said: “There’s got to be some sort of extra measures by police to deal with such horrifying incidents, and having more of a presence so it doesn’t happen again.

“With students starting or returning, it’s not very welcoming news for those coming to the city.”

Oxford East MP Andrew Smith called the attacks “shocking and hideous crimes”.

He added: “Whilst I don't think you can jump to general conclusions from these two awful incidents, it is clearly important that the police and public are vigilant and pay particular attention to safety on the streets.”

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics in July showed the number of sex crimes reported to police in Oxfordshire rose by 29 per cent – nine per cent above the national average increase – to 693 crimes in the past year.

In Oxford, there was a 35 per cent rise to 241 crimes, which included a range of sexual offences, such as rape, sexual abuse and other offences.

Police officers cordoned off Brewer Street and part of St Ebbe’s Street as they carried out their investigations in the early hours of Saturday.

St Ebbe’s Street business owners and staff were shocked about the city centre attack.

Oaks Menswear shop assistant Liam Talboys, 16, said: “It’s worrying because when I’m older I will probably go to town with my friends and with things like that happening, it puts you off.”

Eyesite Opticians manager Duarte Meneses said: “It’s the first time I have heard about this kind of thing happening here.

“My daughter is only 10 years old and maybe when she’s 20 and she’s going out with friends then I would be quite cautious.”

Two men, aged 20 and 41, were last night in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of rape.

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