Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman was robbed by two women in Oxford.

At about 11.20pm last night, a 21-year-old woman approached two other women in Hythe Bridge Street to ask for directions to a local bar where she was due to meet her friends.

The two women directed her down a dark street by the canal, then grabbed her hair and stole her mobile phone and handbag. Passers-by helped the woman by phoning the police and the attackers ran off down the canal.

The woman was uninjured during the robbery.

PC Steve Martin, of the Priority Crime Team, said: “The two female attackers are described as white, of slim to medium build and aged around 17 to 18.

“It appears as if they were dressed to go out, wearing fashionable tops and leggings so they could well have been going to the St Giles fun fair. “If you saw this attack, know the people matching the descriptions or have seen a discarded handbag in the area, then please get in touch.”

If you have any information about this incident then please call 0845 8 505 505. If you don’t want to speak to police or give your name, call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.