A MAN has been charged with wounding and being in possession of a bladed article following a stabbing in Darwen on Saturday afternoon. 

A 42-year-old man is in a serious but stable condition in Blackpool Victoria Hospital after receiving stab wounds to his chest and hand. 

John Quinn, 41, of Birch Hall Avenue, Darwen was also charged this morning with a racially aggravated public order offence following the incident which happened at around 4.30pm in Birch Hall Avenue.

Officers said there is not thought to be a threat to the community.

DI Mark Haworth-Oates said: "We don’t believe that there is any wider risk to local people in the area.

"We have however stepped up patrols to reassure residents.

“We have conducted a number of enquiries including speaking to witnesses but if there is anyone who we haven’t traced who might have information that could help with our investigation, I would urge them to get in touch with us by calling 101 quoting incident reference 1025 of April 29.”

Alternatively independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555111 or online at crimestoppers-

Officers taped off a large section of Birch Hall Avenue after the incident around 4pm on Saturday as crime scene investigators collected evidence.

‘Shocked’ neighbours said they heard screaming and shouting moments before flashing police lights and sirens arrived.

Ian Gordons said: “I was just watching TV when I saw loads of police vans come over with sirens.

“I was really surprised to see it happen, it’s normally really quiet around here. People just keep themselves to themselves.”

One neighbour said: “I’ve lived here for 14 years and I’ve never seen anything like this before.

“The amount of police cars, vans, officers was unbelievable.

“It’s definitely shocking. People don’t seem to know what’s gone on.

“There’s been trouble before along here, but no more than anywhere else, it’s a quiet street.”

A resident said: “There was screaming and shouting between two men, then it just went quiet.

“Then all of a sudden there were police sirens and before long they cordoned off the street.

“I heard someone shouting something like ‘you’re a grumpy old man’.”

Another neighbour added: “It makes you scared to be on the street, there’s a lot of elderly people living around here.”

Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101 quoting incident reference 1025 of April 29.