A 30-year-old man was taken into custody on suspicion of attempted murder after allegedly stabbing a teenage girl in the neck during daylight hours in a Lancashire town on Friday.
Update: Authorities in Lancashire identified the suspect as a British-born individual of Pakistani descent but stated there’s no evidence indicating that the attack was racially motivated. The victim, a 17-year-old girl, has since been discharged from the hospital.
The original story continues as follows…
A local police report indicated that the 17-year-old was hospitalized after receiving a “stab wound to the back of the neck” on Wood Street in Briarfield around 3 PM.
Shortly thereafter, officers arrested a 30-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder; luckily, the girl’s injuries are deemed non-life-threatening or altering.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear, and the police have not disclosed any information about the suspect’s identity.
Video footage circulating on social media depicted a man approaching the girl from behind before stabbing her in the neck.
In a statement, a police representative mentioned, “This was a serious incident, but fortunately her injuries weren’t life-threatening or life-altering, and she has been in touch with our officers and medical staff.” They acknowledged that the community might feel alarmed and assured that additional patrols would be present over the weekend for reassurance.
Local Labour MP Oliver Ryan expressed his thoughts on social media, saying, “First and foremost, my thoughts are with the young victim of yesterday’s horrific stabbing in Briarfield. I know this incident will shock and frighten everyone in our community. I have been in contact with the police, local councillors, and community members since yesterday afternoon.”
The MP noted that both the victim and alleged attacker are understood to be residents of Briarfield, asserting that both men are “British” without specifying their backgrounds further.
“The victim is receiving care from the NHS, and we all wish her a swift recovery from this deeply traumatic event. My prayers are with her and her family,” he stated. “The attacker is in custody and poses a serious threat.”
He added that, due to the ongoing investigation, he couldn’t provide more details at this time and urged others to refrain from sensationalizing the situation.
“I was hospitalized overnight due to personal health issues, which is why there has been a delay in my statement,” he mentioned.
