By Graham Huband

DETECTIVES ARE hunting a pair of knife wielding thugs responsible for two unprovoked attacks on young men in Dundee at the weekend.

The assaults occurred within minutes of each other in the Arran Drive/Elmwood area of the city on Friday evening.

The first attack took place in Netherton Terrace shortly after 7 pm. A young man and his friend were riding bikes in the residential street when they were approached by two youths on foot.

An argument ensued and one of the bike riders was attacked and suffered a minor injury that required treatment at Ninewells Hospital.

It is understood the victim had been slashed with a knife. No one else was hurt in the incident and the assailants made off.

A short time later an 18-year-old man was assaulted in nearby Arran Drive. The teenager had been walking home after visiting the shops in Charleston Drive when he was stopped by two youths.

A knife was pulled by one of his attackers and an attempt was made to slash him. Fortunately, the blade only tore the victim’s clothing and he was not injured.

However, he was forced to hand over the bag of food he had just bought to his attackers.

The pair then ran off in a southerly direction across Charleston Drive towards Tweed Crescent before disappearing in Menzieshill.

Police yesterday issued descriptions of two youths they are keen to trace in connection with the assaults. They are both males aged about 15 or 16.

The first was around 5 ft 6 and had brown hair. He was wearing a blue tracksuit top with a light colour across the chest and a pair of blue tracksuit bottoms with white stripes down the legs.

The second youth had short ginger hair and wore a dark hooded top and jacket.

Detective Sergeant Colin Gall said, “We are still actively looking for the persons responsible. We would encourage members of the public to come forward with information about anything they have seen (in the area at the material time). What may not have appeared to be relevant at the time may be relevant to our inquiry.”

Anyone who can help should call the police on 223200 or speak to any officer.