POLICE say they “cannot rule out” that the same knifeman is responsible for two attacks in Irvine. 

Officers probing the two attacks which took place last week and say they are “keeping an open mind” on whether both attacks were by the same perpetrator.

Police are hunting one man who attacked a 44-year-old man in Frew Terrace just after midnight on Tuesday, February 19.

The man approached the victim and began walking alongside him before threatening him with a bladed weapon and demanding money from him.

The suspect then punched and kicked the 44-year-old man before making off empty handed.

The victim was taken to Crosshouse Hospital where he received treatment for a facial injury.

The suspect is around 5 ft. 8 inches in height, around 20 years old, clean shaven with a thin build and local accent, wearing a light hooded top.

Part of the suspect’s face was covered with a grey or white coloured scarf. Just two days later a woman was attacked in Towerlands Road by a man wielding a knife.

The 58-year-old woman was walking alone at 7.55am on Thursday, February 21 when the man on a bike and wearing a hi-visibility jacket approached her a bike threatened her with a knife before snatching her handbag and making off.

The suspect is described as white, between 5ft 8 and 5ft10, slim to medium build, wearing white trainers, black joggers, a high visibility jacket and a hood or a hat.

Inspector David Cameron said: “We are keeping an open mind. There is nothing to say the incidents are or are not connected but we cannot rule it out that they are. Anyone with information is asked to contact Saltcoats CID via 101or CRIMESTOPPERS on 0800 555 111.”