Three young women were stabbed and two others assaulted in five incidents in South Belfast last night.
All four women are aged between 19 and 22 and police believe the attacks were carried out by the same man, believed to have been wearing a black mask and riding a mountain bike.
Police are appealing for witnesses to these ‘frightening, random attacks.’
Musgrave Police Station area co-ordinator Chief Superintendent Simon Walls made the appeal at a press facility earlier today.
The first stabbing incident occurred at approximately 8.10pm on Ormeau Avenue. The second occurred at 8.45pm on Donegall Square West and the third occurred at around 9.30pm on University Road.
“The three women were all taken to hospital for treatment to their injuries which are not believed to be life threatening.
“A fourth incident was reported to police where a female was punched in the neck on the Upper Lisburn Road near Dunluce Avenue at around 9pm and we believe this to have been carried out by the same man,” he said.
And he said a fifth incident was reported this morning. A woman was punched in the head on the Dublin Road at around 8.55pm yesterday evening by a man on a bicycle and police believe this report may be linked to the other four incidents.
“The injuries sustained were minor and not life threatening however this does not take away from the seriousness of these incidents. These were frightening random attacks for these young women but thankfully incidents like this are extremely rare.
“I want to reassure the community that officers will be carrying out additional patrols across the city centre and doing everything we can to arrest this man.
“Detectives are currently conducting extensive CCTV enquiries throughout the relevant areas across the city and would appeal to any drivers who were in these areas at these times to review dash cam footage, and for any business owners in the relevant areas to review their CCTV,” said Chief Superintendent Simon Walls.
The man is believed to have been wearing dark clothing, possibly a hooded top and he was riding a mountain bike which may have a light coloured frame and reflectors on the spokes.
“I would encourage anyone who may have witnessed any of these incidents or anyone who was in any of these areas that may have dash-cam footage to contact police at Lisburn Road on the non-emergency number 101 or submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/