Woman in serious condition following murder attempt

Photo: I Love Royton

A woman is in a serious condition after being stabbed as she got out of her car outside her home in Shaw Road, Rochdale

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A woman is in a serious condition after being stabbed as she got out of her car outside her home in Shaw Road, Rochdale.

A passing motorist is understood to have stopped and wrestled the attacker to the floor, while local residents dialled 999 and gave First Aid.

The injured woman, a school headteacher, was given emergency First Aid before an air ambulance, which landed in the playing fields of nearby St Cuthbert's High School, air lifted her to hospital where she was treated for injuries to her face and neck. She remains in hospital in a serious condition but her injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

A 47-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in police custody for questioning.

Detective Inspector Andy Aston said: "This incident will understandably have caused a lot of concern and anxiety in the local area and I'm sure everyone in the community will be thinking of the woman and wishing her a full recovery after her ordeal.

"I also understand there may be lots of rumour and speculation about what has happened but I would stress that as we are still at the outset of our investigation, it is important we establish all the facts first.

"However, what I can say is there is no threat to anyone else in the community and it is also important to stress that reports about this being a 'neighbour dispute' or 'neighbour feud' are wrong, so I would ask that people do not speculate.

"We will of course keep the community informed of any developments with this case."

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or the independent Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.