A man in his 20s has been hospitalised with slash wounds to his face and stab wounds to his chest after an attack in Co Antrim early on Sunday morning.
Police are investigating the attack which occurred after 2am on the Bushmills Road in Coleraine.
A number of people are reported to have assaulted the man.
Detective Inspector McKenna said: “This was a particularly nasty attack which has left the victim, who is aged in his twenties, with a number of injuries.
“Our officers have been at the scene, conducting enquiries, as we work to establish what happened, who was involved and a motive for this despicable attack.”
Meanwhile, police in Derry are investigating an unrelated attack in the city centre.
Two men were attacked after 2am when they were walking near Magazine Street and Guildhall Square.
One man is believed to have been involved in the attack and police are attempting to ascertain the motive for the attack.
A PSNI spokesman said: “One of the victims sustained injuries to his knee and hand, while the other victim sustained head and arm injuries. Both men attended hospital for treatment of their injuries.
“We are working to establish what happened and why, and we are keen to hear from anyone who was in the Magazine Street/Guildhall Square area at around 2am and witnessed what occurred.”
