Two women attacked in Melbourne suburb

Two young women have been attacked in the same inner Melbourne suburb where Jill Meagher was snatched from the street, and later murdered, in 2012.

The attacks occurred minutes apart in Brunswick, in the early hours of Saturday, and police say the same man was responsible for both incidents.

A 22-year-old woman had left a hotel and was walking along Sydney Rd about 2.20am when the man grabbed her and dragged her into a side street.

She managed to break free, and flag down a friend who was driving past in a taxi.

The man then attacked another 22-year-old from behind and wrestled her to the ground, on nearby Charles St. She was also able to break free and run away.

Police say the same man may have also approached other women in the area about the same time.