Three people have been arrested and two men are in hospital
08:32, 19 Jul 2025Updated 08:35, 19 Jul 2025
Police outside the Raza Jamia Masjid mosque in Accrington(Image: Facebook)
A second man was stabbed following an incident outside a mosque in a day of violence that shocked a Lancashire town.
Police were called to Lower Antley Street in Accrington just after 2.30pm on Friday (July 18) after a man was stabbed outside the Raza Jamia Masjid. Officers were dispatched to Steiner Street at 5.15pm to reports of a number of people fighting in the street with weapons.
Just a few minutes later, Lancashire Police were dispatched to Craven Street to an alleged assault, LancsLive reports.
One man was stabbed in the back in the altercation outside the mosque – while a second was stabbed in the neck in the later violence.
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The first man is in a serious but stable condition, while the police said the second man was said to be “very poorly”. Detectives believe all three incidents are linked.
Police last night (July 18) said they had arrested three people from Accrington on suspicion of affray.
They are a 36-year-old man, a 33-year-old woman and a 36-year-old woman. They remain in custody at this time.
DI Lou Briggs said: “Two men have been left seriously injured and first and foremost of thoughts are with them and their loved ones.
“Incidents of this nature are rare in Accrington and we know that the community will be understandably concerned by them.
“I want to assure everyone that we have a significant policing presence in the area, to both carry out enquiries and provide reassurance to residents. This increased presence will remain over the coming days.
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“We know that there were people in the area filming. If this is you, or if you know of any mobile phone, CCTV or dashcam footage that could assist our enquiries, please get in touch with the investigation team as soon as possible.
“Finally, I would ask people not to engage in unhelpful speculation but to allow my officers the time and space to carry out a thorough investigation.”
Anyone with information or footage is asked to call 101, quoting log 1245 of July 18.