GETTY German police raced to the scene after the women were assaulted

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The two women, aged 21 and 29, were in a church square in Freiburg, in south west Germany, when the mob struck. Men described as African in appearance surrounded the pair then groped their breasts and genitals. And when an innocent passerby tried to help the women, the gang then attacked him.

GETTY Police arrested three men in connection with the attacks

Police have arrested three Gambian men, two of whom have had their asylum applications rejected. A police spokesman said: “The men touched the women inappropriately on their stomachs, chests, and genitals. “Some of the men also tried to kiss the women. An man who wanted to help the women was physically attacked by the group.” The traumatised victims managed to struggle free from their attackers and raise the alarm.

GETTY Women protest against the New Year's Eve sex attacks in Cologne

Police raced to the scene and made three arrests a short while later. The suspects, aged 17, 19 and 20, are all Gambian nationals who arrived in Germany between November 2015 and February 2016. The men have been released on police bail while investigations continue. This latest sex attack occurred near the central railway station in Freiburg and was reminiscent of a spate of violent incidents last New Year's Eve in Cologne when women were sexually harassed and assaulted in the same way.

GETTY A woman sends out a clear message to the migrant sex attack mobs in Germany

Cologne: Sex Attacks and Robberies Tue, January 12, 2016 Thirty-one suspects, including 18 asylum seekers, are under investigation over offences including sexual assault and theft in Cologne on New Year's Eve. Far right protestors in Lepzig have rallied against refugees and German chancellor Angela Merkel. Play slideshow Reuters•Getty 1 of 22 Protestors in Lepzig rally after over 100 women were sexually assualted on New Year's Eve