Underneath the blazing, midday sun, another knife attack ripped apart a Greater Manchester community. A manhunt is underway after a 44-year-old woman was killed in a stabbing in Droylsden, Tameside.
Officers remain on Edge Lane this evening (June 2), close to the Ashton Canal, with an arrest yet to be made. Police say the male suspect fled the scene in an unknown direction.
Edge Lane was taped off on either side of the canal, between Manchester Road and Wheler Street, at the border with Openshaw. A forensics tent was placed near to the towpath entrance, with several crime scene investigators gathering evidence.
READ MORE: Join the FREE Manchester Evening News WhatsApp community
A number of officers patrolled the towpath, neighbouring streets and nearby Copperas Field, as the search to track down a killer was underway. Those living close to the cordon were left reeling in the wake of violence on their doorstep.
One woman had pulled up outside her Wheler Street home to see the aftermath of the shocking attack unfold. She said: "I had just got out of the car, I could see all these cars on the side and wondered if there had been a crash or something.
"Then all the police came." Performing the action of chest compressions, she added: "I saw the police officer going like that where the tent is now... doing CPR.
"It just makes you feel sick, really. It's on your doorstep. [Police] were looking in the water, there was an ambulance, we saw the police helicopter flying round."
A neighbour on Wheler Street described hearing 'screams' when the ordeal unfolded, while one resident described seeing 'blood everywhere' following the attack. They added: "It's terrible.
"You can’t comprehend it. So sad." Many residents only discovered what had happened after police had arrived.
"I heard the helicopter and police sirens," one resident said. "[The helicopter] went over Clayton way, but that's all I heard. I looked out the window and saw the police had cordoned it off."
As news of the woman's death began to spread, more locals were left stunned and heartbroken. "That's so sad," one remarked. "God bless her soul. It’s tragic."
Angela Rayner, who represents Droylsden in Parliament, also expressed her sadness on Twitter. "My thoughts are with the family of the woman who was killed in my constituency today," she wrote.
"I am in contact with police as the facts continue to emerge. Officers will remain at the scene to reassure the community."
GMP says the cordon between Manchester Road and Wheler Street will remain for a while longer. The victim's loved ones are currently being supported by specialist officers.
Chief Superintendent Phil Davies, Tameside’s District Commander, said: "Firstly, our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim. Our specialist family liaison officers are currently with the victim’s family to support them through what is an incredibly difficult time and we will do everything we can to ensure we locate the person responsible for this callous attack.
“GMP officers and our Major Incident Team are working extremely hard to determine the full circumstances surrounding this incident. At this stage in our enquiries, we are unable to confirm whether the offender was known to the victim and we are working with the victim’s family and members of the public to establish the circumstances of this incident.
"I understand this news will come as a great shock to those in the Droylsden community. In response, you will see an increased presence of our local officers, who will be patrolling the local community on-foot and in vehicles providing added reassurance to the community.
"I would urge anyone with information or concerns to speak to those officers who are on hand to help and support you. If you have any information about this incident, please come forward, your information no matter how small may be vital to our investigations.”
Anyone with information, CCTV or video footage regarding this incident or who witnessed any suspicious behaviour in the area at around 12pm today, contact GMP by calling 101 or visiting www.gmp.police.uk, quoting log 1353 of June 2, 2023. Information can be shared anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
READ NEXT:
Police still searching for suspect over death of 16-year-old on stolen bike
Father-of-two left fighting for life after 30ft horror fall from holiday hotel balcony
Patrols stepped up following suspected shooting as detectives start investigation
Old Trafford murder: Man, 21, stabbed to death after 'running to help friend who was being attacked'
