Key Takeaways:
- A man and woman were injured in a stabbing incident in the Chippendale Avenue area of Bangor on Christmas Day
- The suspect, armed with a hammer and a knife, remains at large and the public is warned not to approach him
- The police have released an image of the suspect and are urging members of the public to come forward with any information
- The incident has caused a sense of fear in the area, with local residents and councillors expressing shock and concern
- The police are investigating the incident and are working to locate the suspect
Introduction to the Incident
A shocking incident occurred on Christmas Day in the Chippendale Avenue area of Bangor, where a man and woman were injured in a stabbing attack. The suspect, who was armed with a hammer and a knife, remained at large, and the public was warned not to approach him. The police released an image of the suspect and made a fresh appeal for information, as they worked to locate the individual and bring them to justice. The incident has caused a sense of fear in the area, with local residents and councillors expressing shock and concern about the attack.
Details of the Attack
The incident occurred at approximately 3:30 pm on Christmas Day, when a man, armed with a hammer and a knife, entered a residential property and assaulted a woman in her 50s and a man in his 20s. Both victims were taken to hospital for treatment, with one initially reported to be critically injured. The suspect, described as being approximately 5ft 10 ins in height, with short, dark hair, and wearing a blue hoodie, a grey coat, a dark coloured t-shirt, blue jeans, and dark trainers with white soles, left the scene on foot, still armed. The police responded quickly to the incident, with officers from the Armed Response Unit attending the scene and carrying out enquiries.
Response from Local Authorities
The police have been working to locate the suspect and are urging members of the public to come forward with any information. Chief Inspector Rocks said, "An investigation is underway, and efforts are being made to locate the suspect. We are urging members of the public not to approach him if they see him, but to create a safe distance and contact police immediately on 101, and quote reference number 914 of 24/12/25." Local councillors have also responded to the incident, with Independent Unionist Wesley Irvine saying, "It stokes a bit of fear among people and people are wary about rapping doors until such time as they can apprehend him." DUP councillor Alistair Cathcart added, "I wish a full recovery to the two people taken to hospital following a multiple stabbing in Chippendale Avenue in Bangor. A shocking incident, terrible for this to happen at any time of the year, let alone Christmas Eve."
Impact on the Community
The incident has had a significant impact on the community, with many residents expressing shock and concern about the attack. The area, which is typically quiet and residential, has been left feeling fearful and anxious, with many people wary of approaching their doors until the suspect is apprehended. Mr. Irvine said, "It certainly came as a big surprise, I live not far from Chippendale Avenue, it’s a quiet residential area of established family homes and people would be long established in the area." The incident has also disrupted the usual Christmas celebrations, with many people unable to visit their friends and family due to the fear of the suspect still being at large.
Investigation and Appeal for Information
The police are continuing to investigate the incident and are working to locate the suspect. They have released an image of the suspect and are urging members of the public to come forward with any information. The public is advised not to approach the suspect if they see him, but to create a safe distance and contact the police immediately. The police can be contacted on 101, quoting reference number 914 of 24/12/25, or via the non-emergency reporting form on their website. Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/. The police are working tirelessly to bring the suspect to justice and to restore a sense of safety and security to the community.
