Three woman and their knife-wielding minder attacked a girl in a Greater Manchester street. Horrified witnesses said the brutal assault last two terrifying minutes near a newsagents in Ashton-under-Lyne.
The victim was on the pavement near the shop on Wednesday evening when a silver car sped into the street and pulled up at the junction. As the vehicle stopped a woman sprang from it and immediately punched and kicked the victim.
At the same time a man dressed all in black and wearing a balaclava also got out of the car. As the man stood guard two other women joined in the attack on the victim, kicking her, and slashing at her with what appeared to be a knife or machete, as she was pulled to the ground.
When a passer-by tried to intervene he was threatened by the man in black who was also armed with a bladed weapon and backed off. Other people also tried to intervene but the man lunged at them too and they moved away.
During a stand-off with members of the public one man threw a piece of masonry at the car the attackers arrived in, smashing the windscreen.
Eventually the three women and their minder got back into the car which drove off. The incident has shocked one local councillor and police are appealing for information to help identify the culprits.
The shocking scenes unfolded at a busy corner, where the Raja Bros convenience store sees customers coming and going from the neighbourhood. At the side of one of the homes at the junction, where a window is boarded up, graffiti declaring ‘f*** GMP’ is daubed on the wall.
Some neighbours living close to the scene told the M.E.N. they heard the commotion unfold on Wednesday evening. “I just heard screaming girls,” one resident said. “It was loud, I could hear it over the telly. I wasn’t shocked - it’s a regular occurrence.”
Labour Councillor for Ashton St Michaels and executive member for children and families, Bill Fairfoull, said: "I will be speaking to the local community police force who I know very well. “This is shocking and working with the police, I will do everything I can to make sure the perpetrators are brought to task.
"I know that there is an active community that work hard to make Cockbrook a safe place to live through the long established Homewatch. We must do everything in our powers to ensure that there is no reoccurrence of this isolated incident”
In a statement GMP said the incident was being investigated as an affray. They added: "A report came in just after 6.30pm on June 29th on Crawford Street, Ashton-under-Lyne. All those involved left the scene prior to police arrival. No one was has reported any injuries and enquiries are on-going.
"Anyone who may have seen anything or has any information is asked to report it online at www.gmp.police.uk. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."
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