A killer who murdered a pensioner during a robbery spree through the streets of Glasgow may have had other victims, police say.

Detectives launched a murder investigation after John Baker, 76, was found stabbed yards from his home in the east end of Glasgow in the early hours of Tuesday.

Mr Baker was walking along Stevenson Street near Abercromby Street in Bridgeton at around 12.25am when he was stabbed by a man who had just robbed him. He was taken to hospital, where he died a short time later.

The knife killer targeted two women in the two hours leading up to the murder during a robbery spree through the streets of Glasgow.

He robbed one of the women of her bag and threatened another one with a blade but she managed to run away and escape with all of her possessions.

Detectives believe there may be other people who were targeted by the man in the hours leading up to the murder and have urged anyone who was approached to come forward.

Officers are also appealing for "two key individuals to come forward" who they believe saw the man before the murder. One of them is a woman who it is believed the man was following on the Trongate before she went into the Boteco De Brasil restaurant.

The second is a man who chased the killer down Hope Street after he robbed a woman outside Glasgow Central Station. Officers are urging them to come forward to help with the probe.

Detective superintendent Duncan Sloan, of the Major Investigation Teams, said: "It is entirely possible that there may have been others that the man approached or threatened either in the city centre or east end prior to the murder.

"If you were a victim or have any information that will assist with our enquiries then please call the incident room at Govan Police Office on 0141 5326723 or via 101.

Details can also be passed in confidence to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Additional police patrols are in the area and anyone with concerns or information can speak to them."

He added: "This man doesn't seem to care who he attacks. He is a dangerous individual who is in essence a coward preying on an elderly man and women and it is imperative that we catch him as soon as possible."

The suspect is described as white, in his mid 20s to 30s, of medium build, 5ft 5in to 5ft 10in tall, clean shaven, with a scar on his face. He was wearing dark trainers that had a distinctive bright white chunky sole, a light baseball cap, grey hooded top and dark coloured jeans.

Around two hours before the murder, a 25-year-old woman was robbed of her handbag by the killer, who was brandishing a knife outside Glasgow Central Station in Gordon Street.

He was chased by two men down Hope Street towards the Heilanman's Umbrella and east on to Argyle Street but he managed to get away.

The suspect then threatened a 53-year-old woman around 90 minutes later and demanded her handbag in the Trongate, less than a mile from Central Station. The woman managed to get away unhurt and with her belongings. Less than half an hour later he robbed and stabbed Mr Baker.

Mr Sloan said: "This was a very distressing incident which has shocked the communities of Glasgow, and we remain committed to finding who was responsible. I'd like to continue to reassure the public that we are working around the clock to identify the suspect, with a dedicated team of highly specialised detectives working on the case.

"During our enquiries over the last 24 hours, we understand that at around 11.55pm on Tuesday the suspect is believed to have been following a woman on Albion Street, onto Trongate, before the woman walked into the 'Boteco De Brasil' restaurant/bar. We are very keen to speak to this woman as she may have crucial information which may help with identifying the suspect.

"I would ask her to contact us as soon as she can, either on the incident room number 0141 532 6723 or via 101.

"As we know now, there were two incidents which occurred in the run up to the murder, a robbery and an attempted robbery. I'd like to reiterate my appeal from yesterday in tracing the second man who chased the suspect down Hope Street following the robbery outside Central Station in Gordon Street. I am very keen to trace him as he may have information which will help with our enquiry.

"Following our appeal yesterday, we haven't yet traced any other victims of this suspect, however, I would ask again that anyone who may have been approached by the suspect or threatened by him to contact police.

"If anyone has any information, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem to you, please let us be the judge of that. Study the description of the suspect, if you saw him, please contact us immediately."