POLICE are confident they have stopped a spate of violent robberies plaguing part of Didcot.

Between July 20 and August 24, there were five robberies and two assaults in and around the Ladygrove estate.

On July 26, Carl Taylor was knocked out and left with a broken jaw while walking along Cow Lane to Monks Lode from the Broadways pub.

On August 3, a group of teenagers threatened an 18-year-old man and a 16-year-old girl with a knife in Cow Lane, but left empty-handed.

On August 21, a 27-year-old man was kicked, punched and robbed by two youths in Cow Lane. Two teenagers made off with his Ben Sherman watch.

And just three nights later, a 56-year-old man was chased and kicked to the ground in a brutal robbery in Gooch Road, near the Southmead Industrial Estate.

Insp Nick Cain said that police had made seven ar-rests, and stepped up patrols in the area. The seven arrested remain on police bail.

Officers patrolling the area also stopped and searched several people.

Mr Cain said: “The series of robberies has now slowed. A spate of recent arrests and some crime reduction work has proved fruitful.

“We have been getting intelligence and awareness of the extent of the problem.”

Thames Valley Police in-creased foot and bike patrols in the area to reassure local people while continuing to investigate the attacks.

Mr Cain added: “There seem to be several different suspects in relation to this matter – not a gang in terms of all wearing the same uniform or outfit, but certainly a group rather than an individual.

“They all belong to the local community.”

Mr Taylor suffered the worst injuries when he was robbed in the early hours of Sunday, July 26.

Two men ran up behind him and knocked him to the ground.

The attack shattered his jaw, leaving him needing emergency surgery. Doctors warned him that two metal plates in his face could be there for life.

Anyone with information should call police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.