POLICE have stepped up their patrols along a city canal towpath following a number of attacks in the area.

Your Worcester News reported at the end of April how calls were being made for more to be done to make the Lansdowne canal towpath a safer place to be.

A number of local residents said they didn't feel safe using the towpath after six nasty attacks took place along the stretch of water in the last year.

Superintendent Kevin Purcell, the Policing Commander for South Worcestershire, said police coverage of the towpath has increased.

"We have for some time been carrying out both plain clothes and uniform patrols in the canal area and in other areas that could be best described as off the beaten track," he said.

"This is aimed at preventing crime and catching offenders. We have had success in detecting offences and have had positive comments from members of the public on the uniform patrols. These patrols can be expected to be part of business as normal.

"They are made possible as a number of new recruits of both regular and special officers join us. I consider that people will have great confidence in what we do as they see and know about this work."

Police will continue to patrol the area on a regular basis.

The latest incident on April 24 saw a woman attacked as she walked to work in the morning. Two men tried to take her rucksack but she ran away, escaping with minor injuries.

Speaking to your Worcester News in April, Jacquie Swinbourne, who lives with husband Paul in the Lansdowne area, said only recently she had accompanied an elderly woman along the towpath as she was afraid to walk alone.

Mrs Swinbourne said: "I cycle along the towpath on my own but I wouldn't walk here on my own even in daytime. The area is very difficult to police and we've seen a few police chases along here. It's such a shame because it's a beautiful place."