‘IT’S BECOME DODGE CITY’
THOSE living on an estate in Bury where a teenager was left fighting for life after being stabbed have spoken of their horror at what they say is the latest in a series of knife-related incidents.
The 18-year-old was knifed just yards from a primary school on Abingdon Avenue in the Unsworth area of Bury, near Whitefield, at around 5pm on Thursday.
Greater Manchester Police said he was stabbed in the arm. His injuries were described as ‘life-threatening.’
A 49-year-old man and an 18-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and quizzed by police. Detectives say they believe it to be a ‘targeted attack.’
Neighbours have now spoken of their shock and worry following the attack, which they say is the latest in a series of recentknife related incidents.
An 83-year-old, who did not want to be named, said he and his wife are now considering moving from the area due to the recent violence. “There have been three similar incidents recently, one involving a zombie knife, one a machete. It’s become like Dodge City. The police came round and told my wife there had been a spate of bikes being nicked at the moment. Though they didn’t say what they thought was behind this one.
“We’re thinking of moving, it’s got that bad. We’ve been here 16 or 17 years. We’re not youngsters any more. It just makes you feel really uneasy.”
John Lidster, 47, said: “I saw them working on the guy in the street. I came down and looked out of the window because I heard all the police sirens.
“It was the police who were working on him first before the paramedics got here and took over. They’ve been round and asked to look at my CCTV but I’ve not been able to access it yet. It’s definitely a bit of a shock. There’s always things happening around here but never this bad. It is tragic.”
Dawn Beaumont, 51, said: “It’s awful. It’s not the first time either. “Police have been here solidly for the past few weeks but things don’t seem to have got any better. It’s a nice quiet area normally but since Christmas it’s just gone mad. Five years there has been nothing then all this. It needs to stop before someone gets killed.”
Margaret Fletcher, 78, said: “It’s not good at all. It’s very worrying. Knife crime is really bad everywhere at the moment I suppose. But it is worrying to have something like this happen so close. I’m just glad it’s not guns like America.”
Binov Knoll, 63, said: “I saw the guy and there was a woman with him giving him first aid. It was like a minute later all the police arrived and they took over. I’m a taxi driver and I couldn’t get out to go to work. It’s very bad and upsetting. I just pray that he pulls through.”
Another local said: “I looked out and saw all the police. That told me something was wrong. Then I saw them attending to him on the footpath. I am so sorry for him. Only 18 as well. This is an elderly estate but more and more young people seem to be coming in and things are definitely not getting any better.”
Det Supt Ben Ewart said: “Although we have made two arrests, our work is far from over and we are working round the clock to investigate thoroughly. We believe this was a targeted attack with no wider threat to the public. There will be a visible increase in police presence throughout the weekend to provide community reassurance.
“Anyone with information can contact police online through gmp.police. uk, if able, or via 101 quoting log 2566.”
Since Christmas it’s just gone mad. It needs to stop before someone gets killed Dawn Beaumont