Three separate stabbing attacks took place in Oldham within hours tonight, with victims treated in hospital. A 26-year-old has suffered potentially life-changing injuries
A witness has recounted seeing blood ‘all over the floor’ of a takeaway following a stabbing incident, one of three serious assaults in Oldham this evening.
Staff at TFC chicken shop are believed to have assisted the wounded man after he was attacked on Featherstall Road North at approximately 7.30pm. The victim is reported to be in a stable condition in hospital. An observer said: “You could see blood all over the floor near the counter. It looks like he’s gone in there after being stabbed and the staff have helped him.”
Shortly before, roughly 200m away, a 21 year old was stabbed in the leg and head in the B&M car park on Chadderton Way. He is also receiving hospital treatment, though police say his injuries are not currently believed to be life changing.
A 21 year old man has been arrested on suspicion of assault and violent disorder and remains in police custody for questioning. The car park remains shut whilst the investigation proceeds, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Detectives are said to be examining two vehicles parked within the cordon. The initial attack occurred in the Butler Green area of Chadderton at approximately 5.50pm. A 26 year old man is in hospital receiving treatment for potentially life changing injuries. No arrests have been made.
Officers have imposed a 24-hour section 60 order – granting police enhanced stop and search powers – across significant portions of the town in response to the violence. A Greater Manchester Police spokesman confirmed the complete circumstances surrounding the attacks remain under investigation, and it was too early to determine whether they were connected.
Det Sgt Jennifer O’Brien from Oldham CID stated: “Our investigations have begun into what led to all of these serious assaults in such a short space of time and locality, and those living in the local area should expect to see an increased presence whilst we conduct enquiries. I understand that there will be fear amongst the community due to the volume of incidents and their nature, and whilst we haven’t yet established if these are linked, we do believe them to be targeted.
“We are working at pace to identify suspects across all of these incidents, and support the young men in hospital with injuries.
“Knife crime has no place within Oldham, or Greater Manchester, and our neighbourhood teams alongside the dedicated knife crime team which operates force wide, Op Venture, continue to make many arrests, seizures and proactively disrupt those who wish to commit offences with weapons.
“We are appealing for any information which could help us piece together all of tonight’s events or lead us to those responsible. You can contact us by calling 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you would prefer to remain anonymous.”
A member of staff at TFC told The Mirror: “Someone came running into the shop from outside saying ‘help me,help me’ he sat down and we helped him.”
