Updated

A new attack on a car window at a Newcastle shopping centre has prompted police to launch a heightened police presence.

A man has been arrested after breaking the glass of a nearby store at about 1pm and allegedly stabbing a woman in the neck.

Newcastle City Council's communications officer told news.com.au that a 27-year-old woman had been walking with her partner in the area when she was attacked by the man and a female friend.

Police are investigating whether it was a random act and it is not known if any injuries were sustained.

Chief Superintendent Mick Hughes said officers are trying to identify the attacker.

He said it was possible the man was angry at a shoplifting incident.

"When he's angry, the violence has reached such an extent that he has broken through and broken the glass," Chief Superintendent Hughes said.

"It seems as if someone had broken into the property that is the scene of the crime.

"He then had some sort of fight that got out of hand, at which point someone intervened and he was attacked, by a young person in her 40s or 50s.

"It may well be a random act of violence and that's why we are being extra careful and on this one we're putting extra armed officers outside the shopping centres.

"We have already talked to the shopkeepers who are aware of the incidents which have occurred in the area, and we expect the same to be the case."

Topics: crime, law-crime-and-justice, newcastle-2600

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