TWO lone women have been targeted by a gang of people wearing balaclavas in the last week, with one being robbed. 

Wiltshire Police are now appealing for witnesses for both incidents to come forward and have revealed that this is the reason behind the ongoing cordon on Ferndale Road. 

The first incident happened on Southbrook Road on September 27 where around four people jumped out of bushes wearing balaclavas at around 7.10am, frightening a woman.

She called the police straight away and the group ran off.

The second incident happened on September 30 in an alleyway off Ferndale Road leading to the playpark at roughly 5.15am where a woman in her 20s was assaulted and robbed of her bag and phone.

Detective Inspector Eirin Martin said: “These are really concerning incidents where lone women are being targeted in the early hours of the morning.

"A cordon has been put in place on the access road to Ferndale Road Playground while we investigate what has happened and people will see more police and increased police presence in the area."

The cordon was put in place on Saturday morning and remained in place throughout the weekend. 

As of Sunday afternoon, the whole of the alleyway that runs along Ferndale Road leading to Ferndale Road Playground was still cut off to members of the public by a combination of officers and blue crime scene tape. 

This Is Wiltshire: A police car blocking one of the cut-throughs to an alleyway off Ferndale Road following a lone woman being robbed by a masked gangA police car blocking one of the cut-throughs to an alleyway off Ferndale Road following a lone woman being robbed by a masked gang (Image: Newsquest)

A police officer or police vehicle is stationed at either end and also at the frequent access routes via Ferndale Road.

DI Martin warned members of the public to keep their wits about them when travelling in the area but also to, crucially, tell the police if they see anything suspicious. 

"I would urge everyone to be vigilant and to report anything suspicious to us no matter how minor as it may help us to find out who is carrying out these offences," She said. 

She also encouraged people living in the area who may have captured something helpful on CCTV or doorbell footage to check and get in touch. 

"Please look at your doorbell videos and CCTV from those times and dates and get in touch as soon as possible if you have any information that could help with our enquiries.”

If you have information that can help the police with their enquiries call 101 quoting reference number 54230103649.