TWO women were assaulted by a gang as violence escalated again in Colchester town centre.

The two women were set upon by a gang of five after a night out in Hudson Bar in Head Street.

At about 1am, one of the women was walking along Head Street towards the High Street when she was approached by a group of five women, who were said to be aged in their early 20s.

The 24-year-old was punched and kicked and knocked to the ground where she was kicked in the head. She suffered bruising, cuts and swelling.

Shortly afterwards, the group entered Hudson Bar and two of them assaulted a second woman.

The 26-year-old was hit repeatedly and suffered facial injuries.

Now calls have been made for police patrols to be increased following the latest in the series of violent assaults.

Mike Lilley (Lab), Colchester councillor responsible for public safety, said Colchester police has organised a meeting with councillors on September 4.

He said: “Because of what has happened we have planned a meeting with Colchester Police Station.

“We will be listening to what they have to say, they are keen on improving patrols in the town centre and we will help out as much as we possibly can.

“It’s shocking and unacceptable behaviour by anybody.”

A 25-year-old woman from Colchester was arrested on suspicion of assault following the latest incident. She was released on bail until September 16.

Police issued an appeal for any witnesses or anyone with information about either incident, between 12.55am and 1.20am on August 13, to get in touch.

One suspect was white with long black hair and wore a red or orange dress. The second was described as white with dark hair put up in a bun. She was wearing an orange or red off the shoulder top and black skirt.

The third was white, with dark hair, and wearing a khaki dress and black boots. The fourth was white, with shoulder length hair, and wore a white dress.

Hudson’s Bar’s owners Elysium said they were assisting police with their inquiries.Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Danni Bryant on 101.

In a separate incident, a man was assaulted on Sunday evening in Church Walk, Colchester. Witnesses said two men and two women approached a man who was then beaten to the floor.

Earlier this month, police upped patrols on Colchester streets after a spate of late-night robberies.

Officers were called to four reports of robberies and attempted robberies around the town.