On Thursday the 27^th of October 2016, at around 11.00pm, a 59 year old woman was approached by a man in the vicinity of 28 Duke Street in Sandy Bay. He attempted to grab thewoman’s shoulder bag from her causing her to fall to the footpath. She managed to keep hold of her bag and the male offender ran off towards the Regent Street end of Duke Street. The victim sustained a minor injury to her right arm and managed to walk to the residence she was staying at in Sandy Bay.

A short time later an 18 year old woman was assaulted and robbed of her back pack as she waited for a Metro bus on Churchill Ave near the Tasmanian University Book Store. The victim sustained a cut under her left eye and facial scratches due to her being knocked to the ground and dragged a short distance as the male offender grabbed her back pack, which he stole from her and ran off.

The male offender has been described as being in his late twenties to early thirties, tall and wearing a grey hooded top and blue jeans.

Police believe the two matters are linked and are seeking any information in regards to either of the attacks.

Information can be passed on through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 and Hobart CIB on 61732618