MUGGERS on cycles have struck five times in seven days in Oxford stealing handbags and mobile phones before making a quick getaway.

Now police have set up a dedicated team to catch the thieves before they strike again.

In one theft, a cyclist rode up behind a woman in Gillians Park in Blackbird Leys and after a brief struggle snatched her handbag containing a mobile phone and £70.

Elsewhere, the thieves have struck twice in Barns Road, Cowley, and once each at Oxford United's Kassam Stadium and Dunnock Way in Greater Leys.

Each time they have grabbed handbags or mobile phones and fled on mountain cycles.

They have targeted both men and woman and some of the victims have suffered minor injuries in the struggles.

Police are stepping up patrols and have set up a team of five officers with support from Cowley and Blackbird Leys neighbourhood teams to catch the culprits - but are not currently linking the series of thefts.

Det Sgt George Mynehan, of Oxford police, said: "I want to reassure people neither violence nor weapons were used in any of these attacks, but people have been hurt as a thief has tried to wrestle their bags from them."

The first theft happened in Gillians Park last Wednesday at 11.45am.

The cyclist is described as white and tanned and about 25-years-old.

On Friday afternoon, a woman was walking along Dunnock Way in Greater Leys when a white man cycled behind her stealing the handbag from her arm.

He fled by cycle in the direction of Blacksmith Meadow clutching a mobile phone and wallet.

An hour later the next victim was walking along Barns Road in Cowley.

The thief, described as white and in his mid-late 20s, snatched a handbag from the woman and then dumped his cycle and escaped by climbing over a fence.

On Sunday, a cycle bandit struck at the Kassam Stadium in Grenoble Road by deliberately riding into a man and grabbing his mobile phone.

He is described as Asian and in his late teens and last seen cycling away towards Minchery Farm in Littlemore.

Finally on Wednesday, a thief cycled behind a woman in Barns Road, Cowley, and snatched her handbag.

This time the cyclist is described as black, tall and thin and 20-years-old and wearing black clothing.

Det Sgt Mynehan added: "We are urging everyone to make sure their valuables, especially mobile phones, are kept safe and out of sight whenever possible.

"Women should wear the strap of their handbag across their body, but where this isn't possible, try and carry it on the side of your body less exposed to the road or to where others will pass by.

"If you are unfortunate enough to be targeted in this way, try and get a good look at your thief - your description could prove vital to our investigation."

Anyone with information is urged to contact Det Sgt Mynehan on 08458 505505 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.