An investigation is underway after a 62-year-old man was stabbed 'for his shopping' in an Aldi car park on Tuesday (January 10). The shocking incident sparked major concern, with one councillor making a desperate plea to those considering carrying blades.
Police swarmed the usually busy car park, on Heywood Way, near Salford Precinct, shortly before 5pm after reports of a stabbing. It was then that a man, aged 62, was taken to hospital by paramedics with serious injuries. It is understood he had been walking to his car when the incident took place.
A huge cordon was erected, blocking off the entire Aldi car park for a short while as enquiries were carried out at the scene. Officers and forensics could be seen examining the area with torches. No arrests have been made, with a manhunt now underway to find those responsible for the attack.
Ward councillor John Warmisham told the M.E.N the rise in knife crime is something he, and the council, is 'really concerned' about as he made a direct plea to those thinking of carrying blades and the 'destruction' caused by them.
He said: "It's really concerning that somebody would be that desperate to stab a 62-year-old man. It beggars belief.
"It's especially a problem in Salford. There was the stabbing of that poor man in Clarendon Park recently and various other incidents in the ward relating to knife crime which are really concerning.
"I would make a plea to people to stop carrying knives. There is no need for it - it just causes destruction. I think for a lot of young people today, it seems to be a trend to carry a knife, which creates a vicious circle.
"To combat it, we are working with various anti-knife charities through the ward and with youth service to deter people from using them."
Several witnesses said the man had been stabbed for his shopping as he made his way from the Aldi supermarket to his car parked a short distance away. Police are now appealing to the public for further information regarding this incident to help locate the suspect and achieve 'justice' for the victim, who remains in hospital.
Detective Sergeant Gareth Bannister of GMP’s Salford District said: "I would like to reassure the public first and foremost that this is an isolated incident, and our officers are leaving no stone unturned to locate the suspect in question. Our officers will remain in the local area to conduct further enquiries this evening and we have an increased number of patrolling officers across the centre of Salford to provide further reassurance to our community.
"If you were at Salford Precinct this afternoon, saw anything suspicious, saw the suspect in question or have any information no matter how small it may be, this could be a huge help in locating the suspect and achieving justice for the victim."
If you have any information regarding this incident, you can report it by calling 0161 856 5235 or 101 quoting log 2025 of 10/01/2023. You can also report information online via our reporting tool on our website: www.gmp.police.uk.
Always call 999 in an emergency. Alternatively, you can report information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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