Police hunt sex attacker after second knifepoint attack in 24 hours

Get the latest Daily Record breaking news on WhatsApp

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info

Join us on WhatsApp

A woman walking her dog was grabbed by a man armed with a kitchen knife in broad daylight on Saturday, less than 24-hours after a similar incident in the same area.

The man fled after the woman swung out with her dog lead, and detectives say they are now hunting a man in his 20s in connection with both “sexually motivated” attacks.

Police have now upped patrols in the Top of the Hill Park area in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, in a bid to reassure residents.

A force spokesperson said: “Detectives in Derry/Londonderry are investigating a sexually motivated attack on a woman in her 40s in the Waterside area on Saturday 2 November.

“The woman was walking her dog in Top of the Hill Park shortly before 3pm 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 quickly and conducted a thorough search however the attacker had left the area.

“It’s 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 his hoody pulled tight around his face.

“Detectives are investigating the possibility that this attack is linked to a similar attack in Drumahoe on Friday night.”

The Mirror reports that in the incident in Drumahoe, a woman was allegedly punched in the side of the head before being pulled into nearby trees and pushed to the ground at knifepoint around 10pm.

She struck her attacker in the head with a torch and escaped.

PSNI Detective Inspector Ross Olphert said: “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.

“Whilst we are carrying out a number of enquiries to establish if there is any definitive link between these two attacks, I can assure residents that there is no link to attacks in the city centre last week. In both of those cases a suspect has been identified and those cases are ongoing.”

The detective continued: “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 that could potentially assist our investigations can call 101 or submit online via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/. A police spokesperson added: “The Crimestoppers charity can also be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.”

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter.

Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.