Three die as ‘Mad Friday’ violence hits British towns

THREE men were killed in separate attacks on the day dubbed ‘ Mad Friday’ as a wave of bloody violence swept Britain.

A cyclist was hauled from his bicycle and knifed to death on a suburban street; a man in his 20s died from stab wounds after being attacked in an alleyway and a third suffered fatal head injuries in a fight.

Another man was last night fighting for his life after being shot in the head in a fourth attack.

‘Mad Friday’ is the last working day before the Christmas weekend and stretches police resources as officers deal with an overwhelming number of alcohol-related incidents

The 29-year-old cyclist, who has not been named, was stabbed in the chest by two assailants who detectives believe had lain in wait for him in a car. He was found in a pool of blood on a quiet residential street in Haywards Heath, Sussex, and died on the way to hospital.

Two local men, aged 51 and 21, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and were being questioned last night.

Det Supt Tanya Jones said: ‘ We believe the victim had been cycling when he was attacked by what we believe to have been two men. We believe this was a targeted incident and the victim and his attackers knew each other.’

Meanwhile, in Uppermill near Oldham, Greater Manchester, a man in his 30s died after suffering head injuries in a fight. Two 24-year-old men were arrested at the scene, but police are looking for an older man who spoke to them on the street.

DCI Liz Hopkinson said: ‘This is an incredibly sad incident which has resulted in the death of a man, only a few days before Christmas.’

In Tottenham, North London, a man was stabbed to death in an alleyway very late on Friday night. The victim is believed to be in his 20s.

DCI Glen Lloyd said: ‘Only days before Christmas, a life has been senselessly taken and my team will work tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice as soon as possible.’

In Liverpool, a man in his 20s was shot in the head. He was last night in a critical condition in hospital. A burning car was found near a pub in Toxteth and detectives are investigating whether the two incidents are linked.

Elsewhere, five people were arrested after two men were stabbed in a fight in Huddersfield; two 19year-olds died in Lincoln in a crash involving a suspected drink driver; and a 90-year-old man died after a hitand-run in Tamworth, Staffordshire.

‘A life senselessly taken just days before Christmas’