Police patrols in Derry are to be intensified after a would-be rapist struck twice, it emerged today.
The city's top officer also urged women not to take isolated routes alone at night as fears of further attacks grew.
Chief Superintendent Richard Russell
Both victims, aged in their 20s, escaped terrifying assaults launched within an hour of each other on Sunday
One woman was followed and pulled to the ground at East Way. But when she fought back her attacker fled.
Later, a second woman also struggled free from an assault in a passageway between Northland Drive and Academy Road.
Chief Superintendent Richard Russell, District Commander for Londonderry, believed both attacks were connected.
He said: "There seems to be a sexual motive, and yes we are treating them as attempted rape."
The man involved is believed to be in his late 30s, and around 5ft 8ins tall. Although urging against panic, he added: "I would ask females when they are out in the early hours of the morning to take sensible precautions.
"Whether they should be alone at night and whether they should be taking certain routes, like avoiding alleyways.
"We will be raising the profile in terms of police patrols to provide reassurance.
"We already have quite a high profile in the city centre... and we are looking at expanding that in the outlying or surrounding areas.
"Thankfully these type of attacks are not that common. It's highly unlikely to have two in such a short space of time."
Mr Russell revealed plans for extra patrols after calls for a greater police response.
SDLP councillor Helen Quigley said: "The people I have spoken to... are crying out for high visibility policing in that area.
"There are times the police are out walking up and down the Strand Road when they could be better placed or better located in the Rosemount area."