FOUR people have been arrested after a man was stabbed in Broadheath yesterday, leaving him in a critical condition.

The emergency services, including an air ambulance, were called to Whitlow Avenue at around 4.35pm on Tuesday 15 June.

They arrived to find a man in his 20s who had been stabbed multiple times.

He was treated on the scene, then taken to hospital where he remains in a critical but stable condition.

The man's attacker fled to a property on Craven Drive, followed by group of around ten people, one of whom was armed with an axe.

Police arrested two men at the property on suspicion of a range of offences including public order offences and possession of an offensive weapon, but the attacker escaped.

A woman was also arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

All of them remain in custody for questioning.

Later in the day, another woman was arrested on suspicion of an assault close to Atlantic Retail Park in Broadheath, which is thought to be linked to the stabbing.

This woman has since been released on bail.

Two women received minor injuries during the assault, but did not need hospital treatment.

The full police investigation is still ongoing.

In a statement, Detective Inspector Nicola Walton of Trafford CID said: "This was a shocking and brutal assault that took place in broad daylight and has left a young man in hospital in a critical condition.

"Our thoughts are with him as he receives the urgent medical treatment he needs.

"We believe this assault to have been a targeted attack but we recognise the concern and upset events such as this can have amongst the community.

"I want to reassure the public we are working at pace to piece together what happened yesterday evening and we have made four arrests so far in connection with it.

"We have also increased high visibility patrols in the area and would appeal to anyone with concerns or information to speak with officers.

"If you witnessed the assault or have information that could assist our investigation then please contact police as soon as possible."

You can contact police on 0161 856 7587, quoting incident 1930 of Tuesday 15 June.