A resident has told how she found a man with a knife still in him during a horror stabbing on Sunday afternoon.

A man in his 20s was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Now residents have spoken of their shock that such a horrific incident could unfold on their doorstep.

Police were called to Little Lever at around 1pm with  cordons put in and around the village.

The cordon on Booth Road remains in place today.

A man in his 20s who had been stabbed, sustaining serious injuries to his torso and back.

Witnesses reported seeing two men in possession of knives – one of them a Rambo-style hunting knife - fighting with an unknown number of other men.

Officers also sealed off the car park of a nearby pub.

Read more: Man fighting for his life after Little Lever stabbing as police cordon three areas

A third scene was also put in place around a property on Kirkstall Gardens in Radcliffe, where a man was detained.

Another vehicle of interest was also identified at this address.

The suspect was taken to hospital for treatment to injuries, which are not considered to be life threatening or life changing

One resident, who didn’t want to be named, said: “I came home yesterday from the shop and heard screaming – I saw the guy with a knife sticking out of his stomach.

“There was a girl screaming ‘he’s been stabbed.’”

The resident rang her daughter, a nurse, for advice on the situation – she said not to take the knife out.

Another person present at the scene then tended to the man while they waited for emergency services.

She added: “You don’t really expect that on a Sunday afternoon.”

The resident voiced her concern, saying: “It used to be so quiet in the village, now all you get are kids in black balaclavas messing around on bikes.

“It just seems to be getting worse.

“There are no police around, and the ambulance didn’t even turn up. It’s just scary.

“It’s not a village anymore. It just seems to be going downhill.”

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Another resident said: “There have been more (violent happenings) haven’t there? We just need more police on the beat.

“It would deter people, it would deter problems.

Read more: Updates on Little Lever police cordon at Booth Road shops

“Of course, it worries you. You don’t expect this on your doorstep, do you?

“It is worrying, I know that.”

Another resident said: “There’s nothing we can do about it, it’s such a shame, such a tragedy.

“I come from Germany, it’s happening there too. It’s just a crying shame.

“I think people are too busy and don’t have time to play with their children. And what have they got to do?

“There are no youth clubs.”

Little Lever councillor Sean Hornby said: "It was horrific, there's no two ways about that. 

"It's worrying, because in just over a week we've had a machete attack on the Dove Bank estate and we've had a girl being sexually assaulted, and now we've had this.

"Despite attending a PACT meeting recently which said rates are down, attacks like this, although isolated, are not sending much confidence across the area.

"I think there needs to be more police presence.

"For that (police cordon) to be still in place after 24 hours, it's a very serious incident isn't it."

Yesterday, DCI Dean Purtill said: "This is still very much an ongoing investigation in its very early stages but we are confident that this is a targeted incident and the wider community are not at risk.

"However, we are going to be increasing patrols in the area over the next few days, who will be there to support the community as the investigation continues.

"We are also appealing for any witnesses to come forward and contact us at Bolton CID on 0161 856 5757, or via 101 quoting log number 1497 of 12 February 2023.

"Alternatively, contact the independent charity anonymously – Crimestoppers – on 0800 555 111."

Police have been approached for an update.