Investigation into potential link between two knifepoint sexually motivated attacks

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

PSNI 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 at the woman, but she called out and swung her dog lead at him, prompting him to run off.

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

It is believed the suspect headed in the direction of Corrody Road.

He is described as a white man in his 20s, around 5′ 11″ tall with a slim build and was wearing all black clothing. He had a hoody pulled tight around his face.

On Friday night, 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 pushed her to the ground at knifepoint.

The woman struggled with the man, managing to strike him in the face a number of 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 made off.

PSNI detective inspector Ross Olphert confirmed officers were investigating the possibility that the two incidents are linked.

“We understand that there will be concern in the community at a second knifepoint attack on a woman in just two days, with this latest one occurring during daylight hours. However, I can assure residents that a focused, tactical patrolling plan – which includes a high visibility police presence in key areas such as our local parks – has been implemented and there will be an increased police presence across the city in coming days,” he said.

The two most recent incidents follow two other sex attacks in Derry the previous weekend.

However, police have made clear that there is no link between the incidents over recent days and the earlier attacks.

Mr Olphert highlighted that in the two previous attacks a suspect has been identified.

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

“In the interim, I would ask that if you notice someone acting suspiciously or if a person’s behaviour causes you concern, do not approach and instead call police immediately.”

Witnesses or anyone with information about the incidents is asked to contact the police.

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

“I am seeing details of self-defence classes being shared online and women and their families having real fear about them heading out on their own.

“Mothers are having to caution their daughters to take care when out and about and this should not be happening.

“Every woman lives with the fear that something like this could happen to them, whether on a night out or simply going about their life.

“This has been an accepted fact and tolerated within our society for far too long, we have a serious issue here, and we have to get to grips with it.”

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

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