"Every tactic available" deployed in Derry manhunt after knifepoint attacks on women

The use of drones, bikes and increased patrols by the PSNI in Derry will persist, as an investigation into two knifepoint attacks on women continues.

The PSNI's Area Commander for Derry and Strabane, Chief Superintendent Gillian Kearney, was speaking at the local council on Friday just hours before a public rally in the city centre to oppose violence against women.

She told councillors investigations into the attacks last weekend are "progressing" but admitted no arrests have yet been made.

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She gave an update on the investigation to councillors during a special meeting at the Guildhall to address concerns around recent attacks on women.

Speaking about an increase in patrols in the days since a pair of knife attacks last weekend, she said: "I have been out myself and I can tell you there is no greater accountability than nursery aged children asking you if you've caught the bad man yet."

The PSNI said earlier this week that detectives are considering the "possibility" the two attacks are linked.

The first happened in Drumahoe Park at around 10pm on Friday, when a woman was allegedly punched in the head, pulled into nearby trees and forced to the ground at knifepoint. She fought back, striking her attacker with her torch, and managed to escape.

The following day, at around 3pm in Top of the Hill Park, a woman was approached by a man armed with a kitchen knife, who "grabbed at" the victim before running off when she called out and swung at him with a dog lead.

The Area Commander told councillors: "The investigations are progressing. They are being led by our public protection branch. Specially trained detectives within that branch are leading those investigations.

"As I highlighted in the press appeal for information in respect of both of them, they are investigating a link between both reports.

"That investigation continues but, to date, we have not had an arrest in relation to either of those reports."

She continued: "In response to the very real and palpable fear and concern across the district as a result of those reports, I have put in a series of key, tactical, patrolling priorities across the district.

"They have been ongoing since the weekend and they will continue to be. I am using every range of tactic available to me, including high visibility policing, the use of drones, police bikes, motorbikes and other assets across the district at key times and key areas."

The top police officer added: "What I would like to say is that we are not experiencing a spike or increase in reports but we are really concerned about the incidents at the weekend because they are so unusual in their nature.

"That's why we felt we needed that help from members of the public to try and identify the person or people responsible.

I want to emphasise that the victims are being supported, both by the detectives in public protection branch and also our own neighbourhood officers. That's really important and that will continue."

She also told councillors: "Predators should not feel safe, that is the message."

The meeting was held ahead of a vigil in the Guildhall Square whre hundreds gathered to show their opposition to violence against women and call for greater safety on our streets.

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