A manhunt was continuing in Derry on Monday to find whoever was behind two weekend knifepoint attacks on women, police say.
A top police officer has insisted an investigation into the two attacks is "progressing at pace", as the PSNI attempted to address concerns voiced by local women and political representatives in the area.
Chief Superintendent Gillian Kearney, the PSNI's Area Commander for Derry and Strabane, was speaking at a press conference at Strand Road police station on Monday.
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She said detectives are continuing to investigate "the possibility" the two attacks reported at the weekend - one in the Drumahoe area on Friday and another in the Top of the Hill area on Saturday - are linked.
Police said a woman in her 20s was attacked by a male carrying a knife in Drumahoe Park in the Waterside on Friday night. She managed to break free and run for help, the Chief Superintendent said.
And on Saturday, during daylight hours, police said a woman in her 40s was walking her dog in Top of the Hill Park - also in the Waterside area of the city - when she was also attacked by a male carrying a knife.
The woman in Top of the Hill swung her dog lead at the knife-wielding man, who ran off towards the Corrody Road.
In both incidents, police say they "responded quickly" but were unable to locate a suspect.
Asked during the press conference on Monday whether those responsible for the attacks could "strike again", the Area Commander said: "We have high visibility patrols in and around key, focused areas. That will continue over the coming days.
"The investigation is continuing at pace. We are following a number of lines of enquiry and will continue to do so."
Reading from a prepared statement, she told media at the Strand Road police station: "At around 10pm on Friday evening, 1st November, a woman in her 20s was walking in Drumahoe Park in the city, when she was attacked by a male carrying a knife. She managed to break free and run for help.
"Shortly before 3pm on Saturday afternoon, 2nd November, a woman aged in her 40s was walking her dog in Top of the Hill Park area in the Waterside, when she was also attacked by a male carrying a knife. She called out for help and swung her dog lead at him, prompting him to run off in the direction of Corrody Road. He is described as a white man in his 20s, around 5’ 10” tall with a slim build and was wearing all black clothing. He had his hoody pulled tight around his face."
She continued: "Officers responded quickly to both reports and conducted thorough searches, however the attacker had left the area.
“Detectives are investigating the possibility that the attack in Drumahoe on Friday night is linked to the attack in the Top of the Hill area on Saturday.”
Attempting to reassure the local community, she said: "“We understand the concern these attacks will have on the local community, however, I want to reassure residents of Derry / Londonderry that we will have an increased high visibility police presence in key areas, including our local parks, which will continue throughout the city over the coming days.
“I can assure residents that there is no link to the attacks in the city centre last week. In both of those cases a suspect has been identified and those cases are ongoing.
“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."
She continued: “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 https://www.psni.police.uk/report.”
A police spokesperson added: "The Crimestoppers charity can also be contacted anonymously on 0800555111 or via https://crimestoppers-uk.org/."
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