Police investigate similar North End assaults

BOSTON -- Police are stepping up patrols in the North End and warning women to be on alert after two similar assaults in the past few weeks.

The most recent incident occurred Friday night when a man with a hood over his face attacked a woman from behind with a knife and attempted to sexually assault her.

Two weeks earlier, there was a similar attack.

In both instances, the victim fought off the suspect and endured only minor scrapes.

"People should walk in pairs and never walk alone, " said Boston Police Department Supt. Dan Linskey. "You might want to keep a whistle by you and if someone does assault you, please yell, scream, get someone's attention."

Police are not sure whether or not the attacker is the same person behind similar crimes in the North End this past winter.

That suspect was never caught.

Police didn't get a good look at the suspect but hope surveillance cameras in the area will give them more clues.

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