Stockholm - At least three women in the Swedish city of Gothenburg have recently been subjected to involuntary public haircuts, reports said Monday.

One woman noticed she was missing some of her hair when she returned home Sunday. She recalled a man behind her on the bus had touched her hair several times during the ride.

The man was described as being in his 30s with light hair.

A week ago, another woman, My Ander, felt something tugging at her hair, which she thought had accidentally become snagged. When she touched her head she discovered a long strand of hair in her hand, Ander told the GT newspaper.

A man who had been sitting behind her jumped off the bus when she turned around.

A third woman felt someone tug her hair in February, but only realized some of her locks had been snipped off when she returned home.

Police have not been able to trace the man who is suspected of molesting the women.

Twelve years ago, a youth was charged with but not convicted of cutting off women's hair in a Gothenburg suburb. (dpa)