York women heading for a seaside resort were warned today to be on their guard as fears grow that a serial rapist is on the loose.

Detectives at Scarborough have launched a manhunt after a woman was raped in the town early yesterday - at the same spot as another brutal rape three weeks ago.

Today local women, and also those visiting the coast to enjoy the fine May weather, were urged to avoid walking around on their own at night while the attacker is still at large.

"Try to plan your evening so you can have someone with you on the way home," said Detective Inspector Steve Tarn.

"If there is no alternative to going home alone, get a taxi or a friend to collect you. Plan ahead and try to take all sensible precautions."

Police said they were linking both rapes because the descriptions of the attacker in each case were similar.

Officers have set up an incident room and may release a photo-fit of the man to help catch him before he strikes again.

Meanwhile, local police today urged women not travel alone while the man was still at large.

There have been four indecent attacks on women in the town in recent weeks.

In February, a woman was raped after she was dragged by two men into a car park in Albert Street, Scarborough.

The latest attack happened at about 1.50am yesterday as the 30-year-old woman was heading home after a night out.

She was standing alone at the junction of St Nicholas Street and Newborough when a man approached her and asked her the time.

After she told him, the man walked down Newborough and she headed down St Nicholas Street.

Moments later, the same man grabbed her by the throat and dragged her into an alleyway, where he raped her.

Police said the attack occurred at the same spot where a woman was raped in an identical attack on April 23. They said there was clear evidence to link yesterday's rape with the one from last month.

But they cannot confirm the rape in February and the four indecent assaults on women in recent weeks may have been carried out by the same man.

The attacker was described as 5ft 9ins to 6ft tall, of average build, with short dark hair and was aged about 30.

He was clean-shaven, wore a single earring and had a local accent.

He was wearing a black polo neck jumper, dark trousers and white trainers.

The manager of Yates's Wine Lodge in Scarborough said the recent spate of sexual assaults had made customers and staff afraid of walking home alone.

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