A police operation aimed at protecting women in Londonderry after two attacks were reported at the weekend will continue “as long as necessary”, police said.

On Friday night a woman was attacked in knife point at Drumahoewhile on Saturday afternoon a woman walking her dog on Top of the Hill was A man holding a kitchen knife approached him..

Police are investigating whether the same man was involved in both incidents.

PSNI Superintendent Gillian Kearney said “increased visibility and high visibility” patrols will continue “to ensure people feel safe and supported across the district”.

He said additional policing would continue “as long as necessary, to ensure people feel safe and supported across the borough”.

talking to BBC Radio Foyle’s North West Today ProgramCh Supt Kearney, the city’s top police officer, said police understand the latest attacks will cause great concern in the community.

“I want to reassure people that we have a focused patrol plan, which includes high visibility and an increased police presence in key areas, such as our local parks and the city centre, and that will continue over the next few days,” said Ch Supt Kearney.

Both parks where the attacks occurred are in the city’s Waterside and about 2.5 miles away.

Ch Supt Kearney said there is no link between the two attacks at the weekend and previous attacks in the city late last month.

“Across the city of Derry and Strabane we have experienced a reduction in incidents of violence against women and girls. But what is especially worrying is how unusual these two incidents reported over the weekend are.

“So I am appealing to anyone who has information, or who was in these areas on Friday night and Saturday afternoon, to contact us, no matter how small you may think that information is. ”.

Ch Supt Kearney said police had carried out an operation aimed at identifying “people displaying worrying or predatory behaviour” over Halloween.

He said the operation was “very successful.”

SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin said there was “great concern” about the attacks which “occurred in Waterside and not that far from each other”.

People, especially parents of girls, she said, are “really worried about going out into their own community.”

Foyle Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MP Gary Middleton said violence against women and girls is a “society-wide problem”.

He said he is “confident that the PSNI will do what they can with the resources they have”.

“But we have been saying for some time that we need more resources,” he said.

Police have asked anyone with information about the weekend attacks to come forward.