The search for the person behind a vicious stabbing in a supermarket car park in Salford is continuing this evening as detectives released a new appeal for information.
Police descended on the Aldi car park on Heywood Way near Salford Precinct on Tuesday (10 January) at around 4.25pm after reports of a stabbing.
A 62-year-old man was taken to hospital with serious injuries where he remains in intensive care for ongoing medical treatment. His injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
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It was initially thought the man may have been injured during an attempted robbery as he walked to his car with bags of shopping.
But detectives have said there is no evidence that anything was stolen from the man, and that instead he was 'purposely followed' in what they described as a 'targeted attack.' The incident is now being treated as attempted murder.
The latest knife crime came just two weeks after 31-year-old Tyron Riley was stabbed to death in nearby Clarendon Park.
Detectives investigating the latest stabbing, which has shocked the local community, are yet to make any arrests and the culprit still remains at large. Police have since stepped up patrols in the area to reassure the public.
They have renewed their appeal for members of the public who may have witnessed, or have any information about the attack, to come forward immediately.
Detective Superintendent Ryan Davies of GMP’s Salford District said: "This incident will, understandably, have shocked members of the Salford community and caused concern amongst those who visit and shop in the area where the incident occurred.
"Our investigations to date have not found evidence to suggest that the victim was robbed or that stealing anything from him was the motive for the attack. Our current assessment is that the victim was purposely followed, targeted and that it was an isolated incident.
"We have a team of detectives dedicated to investigating numerous lines of enquiry in an effort to establish the motive, identify who is responsible and arrest them.
"Uniformed and detective officers are patrolling the local area, carrying out further enquiries and providing reassurance to the local community.
"I urge anyone who was in the vicinity of Salford Precinct yesterday between 4pm and 5pm and who saw anyone acting suspiciously or out of place, near there or in the vicinity of Aldi, Heywood Way; or who witnessed the incident taking place; or who witnessed the aftermath of the incident, to please come forward without delay and talk to us in confidence. Any information that is forthcoming could be vitally important to this investigation.
"I am also requesting that anyone who may have CCTV footage on their nearby premises; or who was in the area at the time and has dashcam footage; or who filmed the incident, should please contact us or submit such footage to our dedicated online portal.
"Any information that we are provided with gives us the best chance of arresting the person or persons responsible and obtaining justice for the victim.
"If you have information regarding this incident, please report it immediately by calling 0161 856 5235 or 101 and quote log 2025 of 10/01/2023. You can submit dashcam recordings, CCTV footage, mobile footage or images to our dedicated online portal here: https://gmp.uk.evidence.com/axon/citizen/public/op_toronto
"You can also report information online by using our reporting tool via 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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