BBCA policing operation aimed at protecting women in Londonderry after two weekend attacks were reported will continue for “as long as it has to,” police have said.
On Friday night a woman was assaulted at knifepoint in Drumahoe, while on Saturday afternoon a woman walking her dog in Top of the Hill was approached by a man holding a kitchen knife.
Police are investigating whether the same man was involved in both incidents.
PSNI Ch Supt Gillian Kearney said “increased, high visibility” patrols are to continue “to make sure people feel reassured and supported across the district”.
She said the extra policing would continue for “as long as it has to, to make sure people feel reassured and supported across the district”.
Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle’s North West Today programme, Ch Supt Kearney, the city’s most senior police officer, said police understand the most recent attacks, will cause great concern in the community.
“I want to reassure people that we have a focused patrolling plan, including high visibility, increased police presence in keys areas, such as our local parks and the city centre, and that will continue over the coming days,” Ch Supt Kearney said.
Both parks where the attacks took place are in the city’s Waterside and about 2.5 miles apart.
Ch Supt Kearney said there is no link between the two weekend attacks and earlier attacks in the city at the end of last month.
“We have across Derry city and Strabane experienced a reduction in violence against women and girls incidents. But what is of particular concern is how unusual these two incidents reported at the weekend are.
“So I am appealing to anyone who may have an information, or been in these areas on Friday night and Saturday afternoon, to get in touch with us, no matter how small you may think that piece of information is.”
Ch Supt Kearney said police had carried out an operation aimed at identifying “people displaying concerning or predatory behaviour” over Halloween.
She said that operation was “very successful.”
SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin said there was “huge concern” about the attacks that “both occurred in the Waterside and not that far from each other”.
People, especially parents of young girls, she said, are “really concerned about going out and about in their own community.”
Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Foyle MLA Gary Middleton said violence against women and girls is a “problem right across society”.
He said he has “confidence the PSNI will do what they can with the resource they have”.
“But we have been saying for some time that we need to see further resources,” he said.
Police have appealed for anyone with information about the weekend attacks to come forward.
