Police Appeal For Witnesses Following Stabbing In Chester

Update Thursday: Man arrested in connection with Chester stabbing

A 22-year-old man has been arrested by police investigating a stabbing in Chester.

The victim, a 35-year-old man was stabbed in the chest as he walked along the City Walls near to Iceland on Frodsham Street at 9.30pm on Monday 21 October 2013. He remains in a stable condition in hospital.

Police inquiries led them to an address on Station Road in Ellesmere Port in the early hours of Thursday 24 October 2013, where a 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
He is currently in police custody.

Police are still appealing for witnesses and anyone with any information is asked to contact Cheshire Police on 101 quoting incident 994 of 21 October, or alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Original story below…

Police are appealing for witnesses and urging the public to remain vigilant after a man was stabbed in Chester.

A 57-year-old man arrested in connection with the incident has been eliminated from the investigation and inquiries are ongoing to trace the offender.

The victim, a 35-year-old man from the Chester area remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital after being stabbed in the chest on the City Walls on Monday 21 October 2013.

Police are keeping an open mind regarding the motive for the attack but are considering the possibility it could be a hate crime.

Detective Inspector Helen Spooner said: “While it is too early to say for sure that this is a hate crime, we do know that the area where this attack happened is a well known place that the gay community frequent, so we have to consider this as a possible motive.

“I must stress that I am keeping an open mind and there could be another motive behind the assault, but my priority at this stage is finding the man responsible for this viscous attack and ensuring the public know what has happened so they can be aware of their own safety.

“I am particularly keen to trace a group of people near to Iceland that were close to where the incident happened and may have vital information that could prove key to my investigation.”

The suspect is described as a white man, aged in his early 20′s, of slim build and was wearing dark clothing. He was seen to run off along the walls after the attack.

Chief Inspector Richard Rees said: “This is clearly a very serious and concerning incident but I want to reassure the community of Chester that this is an isolated attack and we have, and will continue to step up patrols in the area so that anyone that has any concerns or information can speak to an officer.

“I would always encourage people to continue to follow basic safety advice and be aware of your surroundings and always tell someone where you are going and when you are due to be back.”

Anyone with any information in relation to the incident are asked to contact Cheshire Police on 101 quoting incident 994 of 21 October, or alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.