Haverhill – Appeal after racially aggravated GBH and knife incident

Police are appealing for information after two serious incidents in Haverhill.

Officers were called by the ambulance service at 7.45pm Saturday night 18 April, to reports of an injured man in the car park at Tesco’s supermarket, Cangle Road.

It is reported that the victim, a man in his 40s, was assaulted a short time earlier, at around 7pm, on the old railway line footpath in the town. The man was walking with his partner when he was approached by a group of around 5 young males who shouted verbal abuse and after he tried to speak to them, one of the males hit him on the head with a large branch.

The man was taken to Addenbrooke’s hospital with a significant head injury. His condition is described as stable at this time.

Officers are dealing with the incident as racially aggravated grievous bodily harm.

In the second incident, police were called at 7.32 pm to reports of a man with a large machete type weapon in the vicinity of the Tesco’s supermarket, Cangle Road who was shouting at members of the public, before walking off. No threats were directly made and nobody was injured.

The suspect is described as a white man who was wearing a black jumper and black trousers.

At this early stage of the investigations, police are currently exploring possible links between to two incidents.

Officers are reviewing CCTV and carrying out other enquiries in the area to understand the full circumstances.

Anyone with relevant CCTV or doorbell camera footage or anyone driving in the area at the time with a dash camera is asked to contact police.

Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to contact Suffolk police quoting crime reference 37/22010/26 (GBH), 37/21933/26 (knife incident) via:

Website – https://www.suffolk.police.uk/police-forces/suffolk-constabulary/areas/about-us/about-us/provide-more-information-about-an-appeal/

Phone – Call 101

Crimestoppers – Contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their online form: www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Please note in the event of an emergency you should always call 999