Further arrests after machete attacks
FOUR more people have been arrested following a machete attack in Rochdale.
Thugs are said to have rampaged through the Greave estate in the early hours of Wednesday, July 17 - smashing up cars and houses before ‘chopping’ at people with machetes.
Two men were taken to hospital - one with serious leg injuries, as the Observer reported
on Saturday.
Three men aged 24, 18 and 22 arrested on suspicion of violent disorder have been released on bail. A 23-year-old was also arrested on suspicion of violent disorder. A man, 31, who had been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder was released on bail last week.
A mobile police station was set up on the estate on Friday so residents could ‘discuss any concerns’ with officers.
It is also understood a ‘silver meeting’ was held between police and representatives from Rochdale council following the attacks.
Det Insp Julie Maxwell said: “We are making good progress with our investigation and have now arrested five people. Our enquiries continue and we would ask that anyone who has information but is yet to contact police do so immediately.
“The scene of the incident has been closed but people in the area may still notice an increased police presence over the coming days.
“I’d like to reiterate that this is being treated as a targeted incident and there is not believed to be any threat to the wider community.”
According to witnesses, the men arrived in three cars and smashed the windows of a house.
They were also said to have used baseball bats to break car windows.
One witness said: “It was just chaos. A load of men turned up wearing balaclavas and they had machetes.
“They smashed the windows of the house in. One of the lads ran into my garden and was hiding behind my van and his leg was pouring with blood.”
Anybody with information about the incident should contact police on 0161 856 8441, quoting incident number 56 of July 17, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.