The victim, aged in her 70s, was knifed while gardening at her home in Middleton on March 6
A man was arrested upon landing at Manchester Airport almost two weeks after an elderly woman was stabbed in her own front garden in a horror attack in Middleton.
Residents were left terrified after the man knifed the woman, aged in her 70s, in an ‘unprovoked’ attack on Crow Hill South in Alkrington at around 11.20am on March 6.
Armed police descended on the area with a nearby primary school locked down. It’s understood the victim was stabbed in the neck while she was gardening at her home by an unknown offender who fled the scene.
Greater Manchester Police said the attack was by a man who was not known for the victim. Numerous CCTV appeals and house to house enquiries were carried out by detectives in a bid to trace the suspect.
In an update on Tuesday (March 18), the force confirmed a man, aged 25, was arrested after landing at Manchester Airport. He was taken into custody on suspicion of causing GBH.
Police are continuing to appeal to the public who may have dashcam footage which show a man’s movements that day, before and after the assault.
Current enquiries have led police to believe that the man walked along Mainway between 10:57am to 11:01am. He then travelled on to Manor Road and then arrived back onto Mainway at 11:18am after attacking the victim.
Detective Inspector Kimberley Hines from GMP’s Rochdale district said: “We do believe this to be an unprovoked attack which has left a woman incredibly shaken.
“We know that this incident caused concern for our communities, but I hope that news of this arrest will provide a small measure of comfort to those who have been affected by this.
“Our officers remain in the area to conduct further enquiries and offer reassurance, and we are continuing to appeal to the public to assist with our investigation, particularly if you have any dash cam footage from the day, it could be crucial to our investigation. “
If you have any information, or footage, call police on 101 quoting log 1007 of 06/03/25. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, information can be shared by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
