Arrests over two assaults including hammer attack

The first attack took place on Normanton Road near the Wilmot Street junction

A man has been arrested in connection with two serious assaults in Derby.

On Saturday night, a woman was attacked by a man carrying a hammer and was left with head injuries.

Hours later on Sunday morning, a man suffered life-changing injuries after being assaulted.

A man in his 20s has been arrested by Derbyshire Police, who said he remains in custody.

The first attack took place at about 21:30 BST in Normanton Road, police said.

The woman, in her 40s, went to a venue in Wilmot Street to get help according to police, and was then taken to hospital for treatment.

The following morning, at about 02:30 BST, a man was seriously injured in an attack in a property in Churchside Walk, off Parliament Street.

The two locations are about 0.7 miles (1.1km) apart.

'Understandable concern'

As well as arresting a man over both assaults, Derbyshire Police said a further three men and a woman have been arrested in connection with the Churchside Walk assault and remain in custody.

Insp Laura Sanders, who is leading the investigation, called for witnesses to come forward, particularly from the Wilmot Street venue, and said there was no reason for the public to be alarmed.

She said: “We appreciate that incidents of this nature will understandably cause some concern among the local community."

But she added that there was "no risk to the wider public".