Police are appealing for information after several catalytic converter thefts in Esher and Thames Ditton over a single evening left a woman in hospital with serious injuries.

The thefts and reported assaults took place on Saturday evening (November 13), police said, with investigators linking both incidents that struck the area seemingly within minutes of each other.

Surrey Police, investigating, said they received the first call at 6.30pm to Cumberland Drive in Esher amid reports of a catalytic converter theft.

Moments later they received another call, just before 7pm, this time to Thistledene in Thames Ditton.

That call came "following reports of three members of the public being assaulted by a group of men attempting to steal a catalytic converter from a car" police said.

They added that the suspected thieves also stole the victim’s dog, which was later found unharmed at Hampton Court train station.

One woman suffered serious injuries to her arm during one of the incidents linked with the thefts that police are now looking into. She has since been discharged.

Appealing to the public for help in their investigation, Detective Sergeant Victoria Algate said: "We are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed anything in the area last night to contact us with any information. We believe that these two reports are connected and that the suspects were travelling in a silver saloon shaped vehicle, which may have been driving erratically in the area around that time."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Surrey Police quoting crime reference number PR/45210120440 via their website or by calling 101. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.