Random attacker strikes again

Hastings police believe a violent attacker who stabbed a man in the city yesterday morning has struck again. 

They are investigating a second act of random, unprovoked violence, believed to be linked to the stabbing.

About 8pm yesterday a 43-year-old woman answered a knock at the front door of her Sylvan St home.

"As she opened the door a male offender attempted to punch her," Detective Sergeant Luke Shadbolt said.

"The victim was able to slam the door shut on his arm, preventing any further assault," he said. The woman was not injured.

Police believed the incident was linked to a stabbing yesterday morning and said the man was "definitely dangerous and possibly unwell or out of it on drugs".

A 30-year-old Hastings man was walking to work when he was attacked about 7.50am at the intersection of Riverslea Rd North and St Aubyn St East.

A member of the public pulled the attacker off the victim, who was taken to hospital where he underwent surgery on a number of stab wounds.

Mr Shadbolt described the attack as unprovoked, random and violent.

Police wanted to hear from anyone who witnessed these events or had information about the offender.

He is described as a male Maori in his mid to late 20s, approximately 173cm tall, with an athletic build and clean shaven with close cropped black hair. He was wearing a black long-sleeved V-neck t-shirt and light blue jeans.

Anyone with information can contact Hastings police on (06) 873 0500 or confidentially on the crime line 0800 567 789.

- NZPA, HAWKE'S BAY TODAY