There's been a spate of stranger-initiated violence in Vancouver.

Vancouver police issued a news release listing several incidents over the past weekend.

They included a machete attack on two people around 7 p.m. on Sunday (June 19) near the Empress Hotel at Main and Hastings streets.

According to the VPD, they were slashed while loading luggage into a taxi.

Both victims are expected to recover from their injuries.

In a separate incident at 3:30 a.m. on Saturday (June 18), a 27-year-old man was stabbed and bear-sprayed while walking near the intersection of Drake and Seymour streets. Police believe that the perpetrators were six to eight teenagers.

The assailants have not been identified.

The  attack occurred "for no apparent reason", the VPD stated. The victim made his own way to hospital and is expected to recover.

The police news release also mentioned the three other attacks:

· A 58-year-old was followed off a bus by another woman who slapped her in the face around 6:15 a.m. on Saturday (June 18) at West Pender and Hornby streets. Police are hoping to find video of the incident.

· Around 6 a.m. on Sunday (June 19), a suspect pointed a fake pistol at a man who was walking near English Bay. VPD officers responded to a 9-1-1 call and and arrested the suspect.

· Around 11:30 p.m. on Sunday (June 19), a 23-year-old Surrey resident was stabbed in the abdomen after being confronted by a group of strangers near Rogers Arena. He's expected to survive. Police are looking for his assailants.

"With the end of COVID restrictions and the start of summer, Vancouver police expect to see a surge of people coming to the city to enjoy our beaches, parks, shopping, and entertainment,” Sgt. Steve Addison said in the news release. "More people always bring more calls for police service and the potential for increased conflicts. We'll continue to make public safety our top priority and we encourage people to call 9-1-1 if they see a crime in progress or need help immediately.”