The first incident occurred on Colman Gardens, Salford at around 8.40pm on Friday 20 March 2015, during which a man was repeatedly stabbed in the leg.
The second occurred on Cottenham Lane, Salford, between 11pm and 11.40pm on Friday 20 March, during which a man suffered multiple stab wounds to his neck, back and chest near to the Palatine Pub, Edward Street, Salford.
The final incident took place at about 7.15pm on Saturday 21 March 2015 on Agecroft Road, Salford where a police patrol came across a man on Agecroft Road, Pendlebury, Salford and were able to administer first aid at the scene. The victim had been attacked with a machete causing injuries to his neck, torso and back. He remains in hospital.
Detective Chief Inspector Chris Walker said: “It is clearly of concern that so many attacks using weapons have been carried out in such a short space of time, and that is why divisional officers based in Salford are now working with detectives from Greater Manchester Police’s Major Incident Team to investigate these very serious incidents and establish any potential links or connections. Following initial enquiries we now believe these attacks were not random, and that they were targeted.
“We also believe that the first incident was isolated, but are not entirely ruling out links between the two attacks on Agecroft Road and Cottenham Lane. It is thought that the victim had been in the Palatine Inn on Edward Street, Salford, and I am appealing to anyone who may have been in the pub that evening to come forward.
“During our initial enquiries four people have been arrested, three in connection to the incident on Colman Gardens and one in connection to the attack on Agecroft Road. That being said our hunt for further offenders, further information or witnesses continues unabated.
“I hope this reassures the public of Salford that we are treating these incidents with the utmost seriousness and we will be leaving no stone unturned to unearth whether there are any common factors in these incidents and, most importantly, identify the offenders and bring them to justice.
“As always, the answers to these stabbings lie in the community and that is why I am appealing to the public of Salford to help us. We all know the tragic consequences of knife crime and it is fortunate that at this stage none of the three men attacked have lost their lives.
“There will be extra, high-visibility patrols in the area over the coming days both to reassure residents and to allow them to approach an officer if they have information.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
