A man was attacked in his own home for the second time by two men demanding cash.

Burglars confronted the 54-year-old with knives just three weeks after he was pistol-whipped with an imitation firearm at the same property.

The incident took place in White Sands Road, Paget. The man did not wish to comment yesterday.

"The possibility that the two incidents may be linked has not been ruled out," said a Bermuda Police Service spokesman yesterday.

In the first burglary, on November 12, the intruders broke into the house at 10.15 p.m. brandishing the imitation firearm.

The pair demanded cash and then beat the occupant with the weapon until it broke into pieces. They were described as "two black-hooded men" who then made their escape on foot.

On Thursday, two burglars broke into the house at 11.20 a.m., demanding money and "reportedly brandishing bladed articles".

The Police spokesman said: "A brief struggle took place with the Paget resident before the offenders made good their escape with a quantity of cash.

"The suspects are described as two young black men; one was 5ft 10in tall, dark-skinned, of slim build, wearing a baggy hooded sweat top, while the other was shorter, light-skinned and of slim build. Both are believed to be in their late teens.

"Inquiries into this incident are underway."

Meanwhile a man was attacked by two men with what appeared to be a machete yesterday near a public park.

The man ran into a neighbouring store for help, where staff said it looked as if the victim had his arm "chopped half-way off".

The incident took place at the nearby Ducking Stool Park at about 9 a.m. and at the C-Mart store, on North Shore Road, Pembroke, the newspaper stand still showed remnants of the man's blood.

A Police spokesman said: "It appears that the victim, a 39-year-old Sandys parish man, was in the C-Mart/Ducking Stool area when he was attacked by an unknown assailant or assailants with a bladed article.

"The Sandys parish man sustained injuries to his left arm. He was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for treatment.

"The suspects are described as two men dressed in all black, wearing black helmets and riding a black motorcycle. Inquiries into this incident are underway."

C-Mart cashier Lafay Bolin said: "We didn't see what happened as it happened outside, but he ran in here for help. He was quite calm and said, 'I got chopped'. It looked like it was a machete."

She said the man's left forearm had been cut. "His arm was just dangling off," said Ms Bolin. "Just to see it and all of that blood, it was quite shocking."

A hospital spokeswoman described the man's condition as "stable" last night. He has been admitted to a general ward.

Police are appealing for witnesses to both these incidents or anyone with information to contact the Hamilton Criminal Investigation Unit on 295 0011.