POLICE are warning women to be on their guard after three teenage girls were the victims of two separate sex attacks over the weekend.

They say the attacks should make lone women take care before accepting lifts from strangers.

A trip to the Trafford Centre turned into a terrifying ordeal for two young girls when they were indecently assaulted by a gang of youths.

The 13 year-old pals were intimidated by about a dozen teenagers, in the Namco amusement arcade in the Orient area of the complex.

They sought refuge in the ladies' toilets - but the louts followed them in and grabbed them.

The terrified teenagers were bundled into separate cubicles where they were indecently assaulted, between 8.15pm and 8.20pm on Friday.

The youths threatened to have sex with them until one of them intervened saying: "Let go - they are too young."

Police are studying video tapes to see if cameras that cover the Trafford Centre have caught the youths on film.

Dt Sgt Phil Wrenn says: "It was a very nasty attack on two young girls who were enjoying themselves in the Trafford Centre. This attack could have lasting effects on these girls.

"We are appealing for witnesses to come forward and identity these youths before anyone else is attacked."

The second attack happened after a 15 year-old girl got into what she believed was a taxi, outside Trafford magistrates' court in Sale.

The Stretford girl had gone out to Sale with a group of friends but got separated from them.

She was outside the courts after midnight on Saturday when a car - which is possibly silver and could be a Mondeo - pulled up. It had a plate on the back and she thought it was a taxi.

The driver told the teenager he would take her to Stretford and she got in the front seat. But the driver headed down side streets in the Gorse Hill area where he stopped the car, grabbed her by her hair and indecently assaulted her. She was then bundled out of the car.

Det Sgt Wrenn adds: "We are keeping an open mind on whether he was a genuine taxi driver.

"I would urge lone females to be ultra security conscious. If they are unsure if a vehicle is a bona fide taxi, don't get in it."

The attacker is described as Asian, in his late 30s to early 40s, five feet 10 inches tall with black hair and a fluffy moustache. He was wearing black rimmed glasses and dark clothes.

Anyone with information about either of the incidents should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or Stretford crime management unit on 856 7666.

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