Police are investigating a possible link between two sexually motivated attacks with knife points

A woman has been attacked by a man armed with a knife in Londonderry, in what police are treating as a sexually motivated attack.

Officers are investigating whether the incident in the Waterside area of ​​Derry on Saturday afternoon is linked to a similar sexually motivated attack involving a man with a knife in Drumahoe on the outskirts of the city on Friday evening.

In the latest incident, a woman in her 40s was walking her dog in Top of the Hill Park shortly before 3pm on Saturday when she was approached by a man armed with a kitchen knife.

The man grabbed the woman, but she shouted and waved the dog leash at him, causing him to run away.

Detectives are investigating a second sexually motivated attack in Derry/Londonderry this weekend. Read more here: pic.twitter.com/G5jPTy63aq

— Derry City and Strabane Police (@PSNIDCSDistrict) November 3, 2024

Police responded and searched the area but said the attacker had already fled.

It is believed the suspect headed towards Corrody Road.

He is described as a white man in his 20s, approximately 6 feet tall, of slim build and wearing all black clothing. He had a hood pulled tightly around his face.

On Friday evening, a woman in her 20s was walking in Drumahoe Park in Drumahoe at around 10pm when a man approached her from behind and punched her on the side of the head.

The attacker then pulled her into nearby trees and pinned her to the ground with a knife.

The woman struggled with the man and managed to hit him in the face several times with her torch before she was able to break free and run for help.

Responding police officers searched the area for the attacker, but he had fled the scene.

PSNI Inspector Ross Olphert confirmed that officers were investigating the possibility that the two incidents were linked.

“We understand there will be concern in the community about a second knife attack on a woman in just two days, with the latest attack taking place during the day, but I can assure residents that a targeted, tactical patrol plan – including high police visibility presence in key areas such as our local parks – has been implemented and there will be an increased police presence in the city in the coming days,” he said.

The two latest incidents follow two other sexual assaults in Derry last weekend.

However, police have made it clear that there is no connection between the incidents in recent days and the previous attacks.

Mr Olphert emphasized that a suspect had been identified in the two previous attacks.

He added: “We are engaging with our communities and partners across the city about what we can do as a collective to ensure women and girls feel safe and empowered to live their lives without fear.

“In the meantime, I would ask that if you notice someone acting suspiciously or if a person’s behavior concerns you, that you do not go to the police and instead call the police immediately.”

Witnesses or people with information about the incidents are asked to contact police.

SDLP MLA for Foyle Sinead McLaughlin said: “There is great concern in our city following a number of recent attacks on women.

“I see details of self-defense classes being shared online and women and their families being really scared about going out on their own.

“Mothers should warn their daughters to be careful when they are out and about, and this should not happen.

“Every woman lives with the fear that something like this could happen to them, whether they are having a night out or just going about their lives.

“This is an accepted fact and tolerated in our society for far too long. We have a serious problem here and we need to get a handle on it.”

Ms McLaughlin said she would raise the issue in the Stormont Assembly on Monday.

“My heart goes out to everyone affected by the events of the past week in our city. The victims are at the forefront of our minds, but behind closed doors there will be many women who have had similar experiences and this will have brought it all back. she added.