A neighbour intervened and the assailant fled
Residents have described their shock after it emerged a masked man armed with a knife stabbed a woman aged in her 70s while she was gardening at the front of her home, prompting a huge manhunt.
Armed cops descended on a quiet suburb in Middleton amid a manhunt that saw a nearby primary school locked down, residents have confirmed.
The drama happened on Thursday morning but details of the incident have only today (Sunday, March 9) been confirmed by Greater Manchester Police which released CCTV of a man they want to speak to in connection with the continuing investigation.
The drama began when a masked man launched what police say was an ‘unprovoked’ attack on the woman in her 70s. The Manchester Evening News understands she was gardening at the front of her detached home on Crow Hill South.
She was attacked from behind and stabbed in the bottom of her neck, the M.E.N. understands. Residents have described how the woman’s ordeal only came to an end when a neighbour across the road went to intervene and her assailant fled.
CCTV appeal after woman attacked
The incident prompted a significant armed police response, which included the scrambling of the police helicopter as a manhunt was launched. Nearby Alkrington Primary School was locked down as the manhunt continued, say residents.
One resident who lives opposite the school, Petr Klasa, 39, said: “All of a sudden we saw masked police with with their weapons in the street outside the school. It was pretty frightening. They were armed with automatic weapons and the helicopter was here too.”
The suspect remains at large.
Police conducted house-to-house inquiries on Crow Hill South where residents handed them doorbell footage of a masked man who had been ‘lingering’ in the road before the attack, residents have said. They handed over footage which showed a hooded figure wearing a surgical mask.
A man whose parents live in the street told the Manchester Evening News: “My mum and dad live there and they are frightened to death. It’s quite an affluent area and there are lots of elderly residents. It’s very rare something like this happens there. They’re frightened to go into their gardens. My dad was going to wash his car today and he’s staying in.”
He and other residents have questioned why police only confirmed details of the incident today, three days after the attack.
The victim of the attack did not suffer serious injuries, according to GMP. She was taken to hospital but has since returned home where she is being comforted by her husband.
A number of residents have confirmed a neighbour intervened when the woman was attacked and the assailant fled.
Officers were called out to Crow Hill South in Alkrington, Middleton, following reports of an assault at 11.20am on Thursday morning (March 6), GMP has confirmed.
GMP released CCTV footage showing a man they wish to speak to in connection with the incident.
A force spokesperson said: “Since the report came in, we’ve been carrying out extensive enquiries in the area, speaking with residents and several witnesses.
“Officers continue to trawl through hundreds of hours of CCTV and extra resources have been dedicated to this to ensure we can build a detailed timeline of events which led to this incident, and the suspects movements thereafter.
“We continue to work closely with the victim to support her at what is a distressing time.
“Police have now released a video of a man they would like to speak to as they believe he may be able to assist with enquiries. If you recognise anything about this man, please get in touch with us.”
Detective Inspector Kimberley Hines, from GMP’s Rochdale division, added: “We do believe this to be an unprovoked attack which has left a woman incredibly shaken.
“We know that hearing about this incident will be concerning for our communities, but I want to assure you that extensive work is underway to locate the suspect, and we have additional patrols in the area to speak to residents and offer support.
“We have a team of detectives and police officers working around the clock to identify who is responsible for this attack, and we are appealing to the public who may be able to assist us.
“We have released footage of a man we would like to speak to, as we believe he could have information which is relevant to our investigation.
“Whilst you cannot see his face in the video, we ask if anyone recognises the clothing or perhaps his build, and can help us identify him – please come forward.”
Information can be shared by calling GMP on 101, quoting log 1007 of March 6, 2025. Details can also be shared anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.