Police have issued a warning for women to remain vigilant on Leyton and Hackney Marshes after a third attack in ten days.

A woman in her 20s was attacked by a man while she was cycling through Middlesex Filter Beds, off Lea Bridge Road shortly before 10pm on Saturday (July 25).

During the assault the woman was punched repeatedly in the face, suffering serious facial injuries.

The next day police arrested a 50-year-old man and a 26-year-old man in connection with the incident and both were bailed until late September.

Saturday's attack is the latest in a series of assaults on the marshes that saw two women targetted on July 15.

A woman in her 30s was chased as she was running near the red bridge on Hackney Marsh at around 10.15am.

She noticed she was being followed so started shouting and managed to alert people nearby, scaring off the man.

Shortly afterwards, a woman in her 20s was struck over the head near the riding centre on Lea Bridge Road.

After hitting the woman, the man tried to take her clothes off.

She managed to get away and ran to a nearby address where she alerted police.

Police say at this stage there is no evidence to link this latest attack to the offences on July 15 but they have increased patrols.

Detectives from the Met's Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command are investigating all three incidents.

Over the course of the investigation five men have been arrested.

Detective Inspector Tracey Cormack, who is leading the investigation, said: "Specialist detectives are working around the clock to establish the full facts in relation to each incident.

"Patrols on the marshes and the local area have been increased.

"In the meantime I would urge women using the marshes and nearby open areas to continue to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police."

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.