Halliwell: Man stabbed and has hire van stolen

The terrifying attack took place around 6am today, when the victim got into his U-Drive hire van.

Reports suggest he was approached by a man with a knife, who stabbed him in the leg and stole the vehicle. 

The victim has since been taken to hospital, but it is unclear what condition he is in or where he was attacked. 

It is understood the van was driven around before it stopped on Sledmere Close, Halliwell, where police closed in. 

Police on scene (Image: Newsquest)

Officers were on the cul-de-sac at around 9.30am today with the U-Drive van, which had damage to its passenger door. It was later taken away by a recovery truck. 

Stuart Lever co-owns U-Drive with his wife, Melanie. He said: “The hirer rang our office to say that the van had been stolen and he had been stabbed. 

“We have had vans stolen before but we have never had a van stolen at knifepoint, and then the guy driving it has been stabbed.” 

U-Drive rang the police and gave them updates of the van’s whereabouts from its tracker. 

The van being loaded onto the truck (Image: Newsquest)

It drove through the Smithills, Halliwell and Blackburn Road areas before stopping on Sledmere Close. 

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Stuart said: “I just happened to have got there before the police. 

“I saw the man, he was dressed in black and had a black kind of handkerchief on his face. 

“The police told me not to approach him because he had stabbed this lad quite badly.” 

Damage to the van (Image: Newsquest)

Police then arrived on the close and the man made off. They took charge of the van and Stuart left. 

He said: “When I left, there were police everywhere, and there were four of them in each car. 

“They blocked off the estate from Blackburn Road. They have taken this incident very seriously. 

“I am absolutely stunned. I spoke to someone who said you must be shaken up, and I actually am. 

The van, having been loaded onto the truck (Image: Newsquest)

“It was not until then and I thought about it, that it sunk in.” 

The hirer of the van told U-Drive he was going to hospital, but it is not known what condition he is currently in. 

Stuart added: “I think he did some sort of construction work. Imagine you get in your van, ready to go off and do some work, only to have someone produce a knife, stab him in the leg and take the van.” 

For minute by minute updates, see our live blog here: UPDATES: Police on scene in residential area after suspected stabbing

A police spokesperson said: "Officers responded to an incident on Cinder Lane in Bolton at around 7am on March 21 to a report of the theft of a motor vehicle.

"The vehicle was later abandoned on Sledmere Close and a robbery investigation is under way. One person received injuries not believed to be life-threatening or changing.

"Anyone with information that may help with ongoing enquiries should call 101 quoting incident 546 of 21/03/2024.

"Information can also be reported via www.gmp.police.uk or 101 or shared anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, always dial 999."