A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a teenage girl was stabbed in the neck in Brierfield, Lancashire.
Officers, including armed police, were called to Wood Street shortly after 3pm on Friday (12 June) following reports of a stabbing. A cordon was put in place as a dedicated team of detectives began an investigation. The 30-year-old suspect was arrested a short time later and remains in police custody. Lancashire Police confirmed there are no further outstanding suspects.
The victim, a 17-year-old girl, sustained a stab wound to the back of her neck. She was taken to hospital for treatment, and her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing. The force said she has since been discharged and is recovering at home with the support of her family. Both the victim and the alleged attacker are understood to be residents of Brierfield, and the victim is of Pakistani heritage. The suspect is described by police as a British-born man of Pakistani heritage and a “very unwell, dangerous individual”. Police have stated there is “currently no evidence” to suggest the attack was racially motivated.
Community reassurance and investigation
Lancashire Police acknowledged that the incident “will cause alarm in the local community” and said extra patrols will be in the area over the weekend to provide reassurance. Officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with CCTV or doorbell footage to come forward. Information can be provided by calling 101, quoting log 0836 of 12 June, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Oliver Ryan, the MP for Burnley, which includes Brierfield, described the stabbing as “horrific”, “shocking” and “frightening”, adding that it could be “traumatic, life-changing”. He urged residents not to speculate about the incident and to “stick to known facts”, criticising the exploitation of the situation for “clickbait”. Mr Ryan said he has been liaising with police, local councillors and community members.
Video footage purporting to show the attack and the subsequent arrest has circulated on social media. The incident comes days after a stabbing in Belfast involving a Sudanese asylum seeker, which led to anti-immigration riots. Police have stressed that there is no evidence of a racial motive in the Brierfield case. The victim has been communicating with officers and medical staff throughout her recovery.
