There will be an increase in uniformed and undercover police patrolling near Hamilton's busy night-time precinct after a recent spate of violent robberies in the area.
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Five similar incidents have been reported in just over a week - all taking place in the early hours of Saturday and Sunday mornings as punters were leaving the popular entertainment neighbourhood.
Detective Senior Sergeant Andrew Wheatley described the robberies as "opportunistic" and said that each of the victims were intoxicated to a certain degree - though none of them heavily so.
Senior Sergeant Wheatley said no weapons were used in the attacks but four of them involved at least two offenders - young men believed to be aged between 18 and 25 and who were wearing hoodies.
He said police are investigating whether the incidents are linked because the thieves in each case appeared to have similar methods.
They would first ask the victims for cash or cigarettes before punching and kicking them.
They would then steal wallets, mobile phones and other valuable personal items.
The first robbery took place at May Street, Islington, about 3.30am on September 14, when a 21-year-old man was confronted by two bandits.
Read more: Police and court news
A 55-year-old man and his 28-year-old son were then robbed while walking through Gregson Park, near Beaumont Street, at about 1am the following day.
They were attacked after refusing a request for cash.
A group of three-to-four men confronted a 29-year-old man at Bennett Street, Hamilton, between 1am and 1.30am last Saturday - but only one in the group assaulted and robbed the victim.
Less than an hour later, two 21-year-old men were assaulted and robbed after being asked for a cigarette by two men as they walked through Gregson Park.
In the most recent incident, during the early hours of Sunday morning, a woman aged in her 20s scared off a man who tried to steal her handbag as she walked through Samdon Street at Hamilton.
Senior Sergeant Wheatley said investigators did not believe the victims had been followed from any particular venue, but there was "a high likelihood" the thieves were waiting in the area for people to disperse after a night out.
"We don't want to be telling people where not to go," he said.
"The question is to be vigilant with what's going on around you and don't let yourself get isolated."
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