A woman was assaulted 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 knife-wielding man in Drumahoe, on the outskirts of the city, on Friday night.

In the latest incident, a 40-year-old woman 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 screamed and threw her dog lead at him, sending him running.

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

The suspect is believed to have headed in the direction of Corrody Road.

He is described as a white male in his 20s, around 5′ 11″, with a thin build and wearing black clothing. He had a hoodie pulled tight around his face.

On Friday night, a 20-year-old woman was walking in Drumahoe Park in Drumahoe at around 10pm when a man approached her from behind and punched her in the head.

The attacker then dragged her into nearby trees and pushed her to the ground with a knife.

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

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

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

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

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

However, police said there was no connection between the incidents of the past few days and the previous attacks.

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

He added: “We are engaging with our communities and partners across the city on 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 meantime, I would ask that if you notice anyone acting suspiciously, or if a person’s behavior causes you concern, that you stay away and call the police immediately.”

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

SDLP MP for Foyle Sinead McLaughlin said: “There is great concern in our town following recent attacks on women.

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

“Mothers need to warn their daughters to be careful when they are traveling and this should not happen.

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

“This has been an accepted and tolerated fact in our society for far too long, we have a serious problem here and we need to deal with it.”

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

“My heart goes out to everyone with the events of the last week in our city, the victims are foremost in our thoughts, but behind closed doors there will be many women who have had similar experiences and that will bring it all back,” she said. she added.