A woman “of Asian appearance” was allegedly assaulted by a group of girls onboard a bus on Saturday evening in an incident police suspect may be linked to a 12-year-old girl’s assault the following day at the Casuarina bus exchange, NT Police said.

Police are asking for the woman, who was wearing “a purple top and skirt” to contact them after she was reportedly assaulted by a group of girls while travelling on bus 3 from Casuarina to Moil on Saturday evening.

Yesterday, police said they were investigating a 12-year-old girl being assaulted on the number 4 bus on Sunday evening on her way to Casuarina by an adult and then assaulted again by two more adults after exiting the bus at the exchange.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Andrew Kren said that attack was a “disgusting and cowardly act” that saw the girl taken to hospital by her family with cuts and bruises while the alleged offenders fled the scene.

Police say they now believe the two assaults are connected but did not explain how.

“Serious Crime Squad have been investigating an incident involving a 12-year-old girl, who was assaulted on a bus travelling to Casuarina bus exchange the following day and believe these two assaults are linked,” police media manager Rob Cross said in a statement.

“The second victim has not come forward yet.

“Police would like to speak to this woman and are asking anyone who has information to contact them on 131 444. Please quote reference number 10134271.”