Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Women slashed in neck, arm and leg
Cops hunting ‘masked cyclist’ over spate of attacks in city
PROBE Donegall Square West
INVESTIGATION The first attack took place at Ormeau Avenue, Belfast
THREE young women stabbed in a series of attacks by a masked cyclist sustained injuries to the neck, arm and leg.
Police are investigating five incidents in which females aged from 19 to 22 were targeted over a short period of time in Belfast on Monday night.
Three were stabbed with a “small and sharp knife” and two “punched towards the head”.
Searches are under way to locate a masked cyclist the PSNI believe to have carried out the attacks between 8.10pm and 9.30pm.
Chief Supt Simon Walls said: “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
STABBING Third incident was on University Road
occurred at approximately 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.
“A fifth incident was reported whereby a female was punched to the head on the Dublin Road at around 9pm by a male on a bicycle and we 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 inquiries 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.”
The suspect was wearing dark clothing, possibly including a hooded top, and was cycling a mountain bike which may have had a light-coloured frame and reflectors on the spokes.
Supt Walls added: “We believe the man may have been wearing a black mask.”
South Belfast MP Claire Hanna said: “Nobody should feel unsafe on the streets of Belfast and the local community are shocked and upset at these attacks.
“Anyone with any information should come forward to the PSNI.”