WOMEN were confronted by knife-wielding robbers in two incidents near York Railway Station, police revealed today.

Officers believe the attacks, which took place on two consecutive nights, could be linked.

In the latest incident, a woman was approached from behind by a man who grabbed her right shoulder as she passed the pelican crossing in Station Road, opposite the Royal York Hotel, at about 6.30pm last night.

He first said something which she could not hear, but then said: "Give me your bag".

Looking down, she could see he was holding a silver-bladed knife, about six inches long, at waist level.

He then said: "I've got a knife; give me your bag".

She took the bag off her shoulder, then handed it to him, and he walked off.

The woman, who is in her 30s, told a passing male about the robbery. He advised her to report it to the police, then followed the robber along Station Road to its junction with Blossom Street.

Once there, the attacker was seen to climb into the passenger side of a silver Ford Sierra taxi.

When interviewed by police, the taxi driver said he had dropped the man off at the far end of Scarcroft Road, near its junction with Bishopthorpe Road.

The man is described as white, in his mid 20s, of slim build, with gaps in his teeth. He wore a dark coloured cap, a dark top, and dark trousers.

Police say an earlier attempted robbery took place close by, at about 9.15 the previous night.

In that incident, three women walking down Station Rise near the Railtrack headquarters building were confronted by two men, who pushed one member of the group, a 54-year-old woman, to the ground.

One of the men then produced a small knife, and tried to wrestle the woman's handbag away from her. The attackers then ran off, empty-handed, when a dark-coloured Land Rover emerged from Station Avenue.

A police spokesman said: "A number of detectives are working on these cases, and the location and use of a knife could suggest a link. We are especially keen to hear from the driver of the Land Rover, who may have witnessed the earlier incident, and anyone who saw the man in the second incident, either in the station area, or getting into or out of the taxi."

Anyone with information can ring Detective Constable Craig Wilson on 01904 631321.

Updated: 15:48 Tuesday, January 29, 2002