A 29-year-old man is in a serious condition after being attacked with a machete in Salford – making it the third stabbing to have happened in the area in just 24 hours.
The victim was found by police on Agecroft Road, Pendlebury, with wounds to his neck and torso at 7:15pm on Saturday.
First aid was administered at the scene but the man still remains in a serious condition after suffering a number of deep lacerations, including one which narrowly missed an artery in his neck.
The shocking incident follows two previous attacks in just 24 hours – the first took place on Robert Hall Street, Ordsall, where an 18-year-old man was stabbed in the leg, on Friday March 20.
Detective Chief Inspector Chris Walker said: “It is clearly of concern that so many attacks using weapons have been carried out in such a short space of time.
“That is why divisional officers based in Salford are now working with specially-trained detectives from Greater Manchester Police’s Major Incident Team to investigate these very serious incidents and establish any links or connections.”
The second attack saw a 28-year-old man knifed in the back, neck and chest later on Friday evening on Edward Street, Lower Broughton.
DCI Walker continued: “I hope this reassures the public of Salford that we are treating these incidents with the utmost seriousness and we will be leaving no stone unturned to unearth whether there are any common factors in these incidents and, most importantly, identity the offenders and bring them to justice.”
Salford’s police are working with detectives from the Greater Manchester Police Major Team to investigate whether the attacks were linked.
Despite this, officers are hoping that community intervention will significantly aid them in their work.
He said: “As always, the answers to these stabbings lie in the community and that is why I am appealing to the public of Salford to help us.
“We all know the tragic consequences of knife crime and it is fortunate that at this stage none of the three men attacked have lost their lives.
Detective Chief Inspector Chris Walker also explained that there would be an increase in police presence in areas as investigations continued.
He added: “There will be extra, high-visibility patrols in the area over the coming days both to reassure residents and to allow them to approach an officer if they have information.
“We need to get to the root of what is happening and the best way to do this is to reach out to the community who can help us identity the offenders and stop people from being attacked.
“So please, if you do know something, speak to us – in confidence if needed – and help us take these dangerous weapons, and dangerous people, off the streets before someone else is hurt.”
Anyone with information is encouraged to call Police on 101 or the independent charity, Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555111.
Image courtesy of Google Maps, with thanks.
