A woman and a shopkeeper were assaulted during a spate of robberies in Belfast city centre today which police believe may be linked.
The shopkeeper was assaulted and threatened with a knife when he tackled two young men who went into his premises on the Stranmillis Road and stole a quantity of cigarettes at about 7am.
A short time later two males, one armed with an iron bar, robbed a shop on the Ormeau Road and made off in a car.
Later a woman was dragged into the road in Great Patrick Street by three males, one armed with a crowbar, who stole her handbag.
A knife was recovered at the scene of the Stranmillis robbery.
A PSNI spokeswoman said detectives were investigating a link between the three incidents and appealed for witnesses to contact them.
PA