VIOLENT muggers attacked two men while walking through an Oxford park.

The gang of three men hit a 39-year-old man on the back of the head with a metal bar as he walked on a footpath from Frys Hill towards Spindleberry Nature Park, in Blackbird Leys, on Friday at about 2.50pm.

One of the muggers pulled out a knife and demanded money.

As the man tried to escape he was bundled on the ground but managed to run away without anything being stolen.

He was left with a three-inch gash and taken to hospital.

On Tuesday, a man was threatened as he walked through the wooded area of the nature park at about 8.15pm.

The gang demanded he handed over valuables or they would beat him up.

He gave them £5 cash and a mobile phone then one of the muggers punched him in the face before the victim ran away.

Det Con Simon Hannam: "So far there have been two incidents, which we believe are linked, but these men's willingness to use violence is worrying and we want to catch them as soon as we can.

"If anyone has seen something suspicious in the parks area, then please let us know.

"In the meantime, we would advise local people to take care if they are using the Spindleberry Park area especially in these long, dark evenings."

In both cases, all three men are white, in their early twenties, and thin.

They were wearing dark jackets and hooded tops.

In the second incident, one had a moustache while the others had their faces covered with scarves.

Anyone with information should contact police on 08458 505505 or speak anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.