A community has reacted with shock and horror after a woman was stabbed in Oswaldtwistle.
Armed police were called after a woman received stab wounds to her abdomen and shoulder in the incident on Havelock Street on Tuesday afternoon.
She was taken to hospital for treatment where her condition is described as ‘stable’.
A 41-year-old man from Oswaldtwistle was later arrested in the St Pauls Court are on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in custody.
Neighbours said they were ‘very shocked’ by the incident.
Bashir Ahmed, 42, who works at the Ossy General Store on Union Road, said: “I have been here since 1984 and I’ve not seen anything like that before.
“All these police vans turned up and the officers had guns and dogs. I was very worried, especially when I saw them with the guns. The customers have been really surprised.”
One woman, who asked not to be named, said: “I just heard all the sirens to start with and then everyone came out.
“I didn’t know what was going on until the armed response arrived. They were getting all suited and booted and then flew off down the street.
“I was very shocked and surprised as it’s not the kind of thing that happens outside your house in the middle of the afternoon.
“There were a lot of people around and a lot of children in hysteria.”
Another resident said: “I had just come back home and there was a lot of police. I asked a neighbour what happened and she said someone had been stabbed.
“Whenever I walked past her she was lovely and always had a smile.”
Oswaldtwistle councillor Peter Britcliffe said it has ‘caused a lot of disturbance in the town’.
He said: “It is a dreadful thing to happen. It’s not a good sight when you see police running around with guns. At the time people thought there had been an armed siege.
“The thoughts of the local community are with her and her family and let’s hope she makes a full recovery.
“As a ward councillor for the area there are a lot of elderly people there and it must have been a disturbing time for all of them.”
The incident happened at around 4pm on Tuesday, September 29.
Lancashire Police said the woman was taken to Royal Preston Hospital for treatment, and described her condition as ‘stable’.
A spokesman said: “We were called to an address on Havelock Street after a woman, 26, received stab wounds to her abdomen and shoulder.
A 41-year-old man from Oswaldtwistle was later arrested in the St Pauls Court area of the town on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in custody.”
Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting crime reference number ED1513059.
