Three women were grabbed by would-be abductors in Brighton on Saturday.

All the victims were threatened, on two occasions with a knife, and each time the offenders ran off when members of the public intervened or the victim struggled.

Police are keeping an open mind as to whether any of the attacks were carried out by the same culprit.

The first happened at 4.30pm in Clarence Square, near Western Road, as the 18-year-old victim was walking to the Grand Hotel.

She was grabbed from behind by a man waving a knife. He threatened her and warned her not to scream as he pushed her along the road.

Two members of the public came to her aid and the offender fled.

He is 20 to 30, 5ft 8in, slim, spoke with a foreign accent, appeared Mediterranean, and wore a light-coloured top.

A man with a similar description pounced on a 27-year-old woman in nearby Marlborough Street at 7.20pm.

He took hold of her arm and showed a knife but she broke free and the man made off.

He is also 5ft 8in, and had a tanned complexion. He has short black curly hair and wore a scarf over part of his face.

The third attack happened at 7.26pm in Preston Park Avenue where a 32-year-old woman was waiting in a driveway.

The attacker passed her and later approached her from behind, holding her hand and arm.

He dragged her 30ft down the driveway, warning her not to shout, but she screamed and members of the public came to her assistance.

The attacker punched the victim in the stomach before running off.

He is 45 to 55, stocky, and wore a light-coloured jumper and jeans.

Witnesses or anyone with information should contact Brighton CID on 0845 6070 999.