Series of knife attacks has Rio on edge

Rio de Janeiro - Police in Rio de Janeiro are reinforcing patrols in areas popular with tourists and near venues that will host Olympic events next year after a series of knife attacks on locals and foreigners.

The stabbings sparked calls for protest marches this weekend to demand better security.

The latest attack came on Friday when a Chilean living in Rio was stabbed and her tablet computer stolen in a park adjacent to an area where Olympic cycling events will take place.

Earlier this week a Brazilian man died after he was stabbed by adolescents who stole his bike at a lake that will host Olympic events.

It was the fourth such stabbing at the lake in recent weeks and there have been over 10 other stabbings during muggings in central Rio in that time.