Stabbings could be tied: cops

CAIRNS detectives are trying to piece together whether two stabbings on Friday night are linked after two teens were injured during separate attempted armed robberies.

In both cases the offender was armed with a knife and is described as caucasian, in his 20s, about 180cm tall and wearing dark clothing.

About 12.30am four men approached an 18-year-old man on the Cairns Esplanade near Minnie St and demanded items from him.

One of the men then produced a knife and stabbed the 18-year-old in the hand before all four men fled the scene.

Nothing was stolen and the 18-year-old returned to his place of accommodation and notified police. He was taken to Cairns Hospital for treatment of his injury.

Then about 1am a man went up to a 17-year-old boy, who was in the company of another male, on Cairns St near Thomas St in Cairns North. The man, who was armed with a knife, demanded cash. The teen refused, resulting in an altercation during which the 17year-old received a cut to his arm and a stab wound to his hand. The armed man fled the scene and nothing was stolen.

The injured teenager was also treated at Cairns Hospital and the matter was reported.

A police spokesman said investigations into whether the incidents were linked were ongoing. Anyone with information can contact police via Policelink on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.