TWO men were slashed with knives in separate attacks on Monday night and police believe they could have been committed by the same gang.

The first happened at about 10.45pm in Auxerre Avenue, Greenlands, where police believe the 35-year-old victim was visiting a friend.

The man answered a knock at the door of a flat at Auxerre House to four men dressed in dark clothing who attacked him on the third floor balcony.

Friends took the man to the Alexandra Hospital where he was treated for head and body injuries inflicted by a knife and a heavy blunt instrument such as a baseball bat. He was yesterday described as comfortable.

Later that night between midnight and 12.30am a second man, aged 26, was attacked by four men in Gibbs Road, Abbeydale.

He suffered a cut to the face and was treated at the Alexandra Hospital.

DC Mark Morton said: "We are yet to speak to the two victims fully but we are examining the possibility the attacks may be linked as there were four offenders on both occasions and the assaults occurred quite close together.''

Forensic tests have been carried out at the scene of the first attack.

Anyone with information can call Redditch police on 584888 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.