Police are investigating the second sex attack on women in Derry in two days – The Irish News

Police are investigating whether two sexual assaults on women in Derry in two days are linked.

A woman in her 40s was walking her dog in Top of the Hill Park in Waterside on Saturday when she was approached by a man armed with a kitchen knife. The man grabbed the woman, but she called out to him and swung the leash at him, forcing him to run away.

It comes after a 20-year-old woman was attacked at knifepoint in Dramahoe Park on Friday when a man approached her from behind. He punched her, dragged her into nearby trees and knocked her to the ground, police said.

The woman struggled with her attacker, managing to hit him in the face with a torch several times before she managed to break free and run for help.

Police said they were investigating whether the two attacks were connected and released a description of the attacker on Saturday.

A spokesman said: “He is described as a white man in his 20s, about 5ft 11ins tall, of a thin build and wearing black clothing. His hood covered his face tightly.”

Detective Inspector Ross Olfert said there would be an “increased police presence across the city” in the coming days. They do not believe they were involved in two attacks in the city center last week.

“We understand there will be concern in the community following the second knife attack on a woman in just two days, with the latest occurring during daylight hours, however I can assure residents that a focused, tactical patrol plan which includes a visible police presence in key areas such as our local parks and there will be an increased police presence across the city in the coming days,” he explained.

“While we are carrying out several inquiries to establish whether there is any definitive link between the two attacks, I can reassure residents that there is no link to the attacks in the city center last week. In both cases, a suspect was identified and the cases are ongoing.

“We are engaging with our communities and partners in the city on what we can do as a collective to ensure women and girls feel safe and empowered to lead their lives without fear.”