Detectives are hunting a teenage girl who has repeatedly targeted a woman, stealing her mobile phone and attacking her, in three attacks since January.

Detective Constable Nigel Rigby said: "These attacks are systematic and are very intimidating, even though the victim hasn't sustained any serious injuries.

"She feels like she is being followed everywhere by this menace. If anyone knows anything about it we urge you to get in touch, as nobody deserves to be treated like this. Your call can be treated in the strictest of confidence."

The first incident occurred on Sunday, January 14, when the 19-year-old victim was waiting for a bus on Shuttle Street, Wigan, at about 7pm.

She was approached by a group of around five girls, one of whom was about 4ft 6in tall with long dark hair that was tied up.

The girls attacked the 19-year-old and one of them kicked her in the stomach, winding her. She fell to the floor and banged her head. While lying there disorientated one of the girls stole her mobile phone.

The second incident happened on Monday, March5. As the victim boarded the Number 12 bus at Leigh bus station at about 5pm she saw the same girl was also a passenger.

The bus set off but en route broke down so all the passengers were asked to transfer to another bus. When the victim did so, the offender came and sat next to her uninvited.

The victim got off the bus on Hough Lane, Tyldesley, followed by the girl. She began to use her phone to call someone but the girl walked up to her and punched her in the face. She stole her phone again and ran off towards Tyldesley.

Later that week the victim was at Wigan bus station when the girl again approached her and threatened to assault her, but did not. This happened on Friday, March 9 at about 5pm.

The girl is described as white, 4ft 6in tall and around 15-years-old. At the time of this last incident she was wearing a light coloured tracksuit that was zipped up and had her hair, dark brown in colour, down. She is described as being of slim build.

Anyone who recognises the description of this girl, or who has any information about these incidents, is asked to contact police on 0161 856 7248 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.