A violent attack carried out on a Tameside street over the Easter bank holiday weekend is no longer believed to have been a stabbing. Emergency services rushed out to Blandford Street, in Ashton-under-Lyne, at around 10.30pm on Saturday night (April 16).
An 18-year-old man was rushed to hospital by ambulance after suffering injuries to the back of his head, as well as his elbow. It was believed the teenager had been the victim of a stabbing as Greater Manchester Police began making enquiries.
But in an update issued today (April 22), GMP says the teenager's injuries are now not believed to have been caused by a knife. He was discharged from hospital on Sunday morning.
Police are yet to identify a suspect following the incident, which is now being treated as an assault. GMP's investigation is ongoing and anyone with information about the attack is encouraged to come forward.
Eyewitnesses in Ashton told the Manchester Evening News that the incident had taken place on Blandford Street, between Cavendish Street and Oldham Road, near to the ASM Cash and Carry and the Gericke factory. A police cordon was seen in the area late on Saturday night and Sunday morning, with one resident told that police were searching for knives in the area.
Another eyewitness said he had seen blood on the ground in the area which had been cordoned. Many residents who spoke to the M.E.N. on Sunday were not aware of what had happened the night before, but were concerned about the violent episode. One woman said: "A teenager... I don't know what is happening."
Blandford Street sits close to Millennium Green and Burlington Street, to the west of Ashton's town centre. It's an area which has been plagued by anti-social behaviour and criminal activity over the years.
Last May, residents at Burlington House told the M.E.N. they felt like 'prisoners in our own homes' due to large groups congregating, loud noise and drug dealing in the area. In November 2017, a gang of 60 youths surrounded a police van and hurled fireworks at it, while one resident was attacked outside her own home.
Incidents spiked again last summer following the easing of lockdown, and a knife sweep at Millennium Green unearthed a number of weapons. Chf Insp Lee Broadstock told the M.E.N. last August that GMP was receiving 'reports of youths gathering, drug taking and some criminal damage' in the area.
Anyone with information about Saturday's stabbing is asked to contact police online via the LiveChat facility, if able, or by calling 101. Alternatively, details can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
