'It's terrifying - this isn't something you see in Cannock': Residents speak of fear after man left in critical condition following stabbing
Cannock residents have spoken of their fear after a man was left in a critical condition after being stabbed.
"This doesn't happen around Cannock - It's terrifying" - Those are the words of Cannock residents near Hampton Street following a knife-related incident that has left one man in critical condition.
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It comes after emergency services rushed to the scene of Hampton Street at around 11.27pm on Tuesday.
A man was found with wounds to his neck that were consistent with a stab wound. He was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Staffordshire Police officers quickly established a cordon around the scene, which included the row of shops on Longford Road, with officers launching an appeal for information to establish what happened.
Now, residents and shopkeepers have spoken of their distress, with many saying that the incident 'is rare' in the region.
One resident of Hampton Street, who didn't want to be named, and had only lived in the area for six months, said: "It's really worrying. I haven't actually been here for that long, but it doesn't seem like a bad area.
"I was away at the time, but when I came back the police and ambulance were here. It's a bit worrying."
Following the incident, Hampton Street and the nearby Longford Road were cordoned off to make way for investigation works, with the shops on the street only being able to reopen later in the day.
One shopkeeper, who also didn't want to be named, said: "We have actually only just been able to get into the shop, we had to cancel most of the jobs for the day.
"It's horrible. The whole road was closed off, we heard that it started by the shops. This area isn't really that bad."
A Staffordshire Police appeal said that the victim was seen outside the One Stop on Longford Road shortly before he suffered the injury.
A resident of Longford Road, who didn't want to be named out of fear, said: "I don't know if they have caught anyone. It's worrying knowing they're still out there.
"This is something you see in a city, it's not really something you see in Cannock. It does make you worry. I hope the person is okay after all this."
Police launch appeal
A police appeal was quickly launched into the incident, with Staffordshire Police asking for information and dashcam or CCTV footage.
A Staffordshire Police spokesperson said: "We are appealing for information after finding a man with a serious injury in Cannock.
"Officers were called to Hampton Street at 11.30pm last night (Tuesday 29 April) when a man was seen in the area with an injury to his neck.
"He was assessed at the scene by paramedics from West Midlands Ambulance Service. The injuries were deemed consistent with a stab wound and the man was taken to hospital, where he remains in a critical condition."
Anyone with information can contact Staffordshire Police via their 101 number, or alternatively via the Live Chat service on their website, quoting incident 883 of 29 April.