A MAN was ‘left to die’ in an alleyway after being repeatedly stabbed.

Matthew Howard, 27, was found lying in a pool of blood between Elizabeth Street and Exchange Street, Accrington on Thursday morning.

Police found him cold and semi-conscious with 11 stab wounds to his back and upper arm.

They believe he may have been attacked at a home in Elizabeth Street and ‘dumped’ in the alleyway around 30 minutes before they arrived on the scene.

He was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital for ‘life-saving surgery’ to stop internal bleeding and his condition is described as ‘poorly but stable’.

Detectives at Accrington CID have launched an attempted murder inquiry and have appealed for witnesses.

They have made three arrests - a 35-year-old woman, a 17-year-old girl and an 18-year-old man.

They were being questioned on suspicion of attempted murder yesterday after being arrested at a home in Haslingden.

It is understood the two women are mother and daughter and the man is the daughter’s boyfriend.

It is also believed that the victim has links to the travelling community.

Police said they believed this was a ‘targeted’ attack.

Officers are investigating the possibility there was a dispute at an address in Elizabeth Street and Detective Inspector Claire Holbrook said they were trying to find the motive.

DI Holbrook said that the man’s injuries were consistent with the use of a large knife.

The weapon has not yet been found.

On Friday a PCSO was on guard at the front door of a terraced house and forensic teams were seen going inside. The home was boarded up at 12.30pm.

DI Holbrook said the man had very nearly died from ‘significant wounds’.

He was found at at 9.15am on Thursday.

She said: “This is a serious incident and I would urge anyone that witnessed this attack or has any information to contact police.”

Local residents Paul Ireland, 21, and Lee Hayhurst 26, said there had been problems with late-night drinking and partying at the same address in recent months.

Mr Ireland said: “The first I knew of it was when police knocked on my door around 9.30am and told me there had been a serious assault in the back alleyway.

“Since then police have been in and out of the house taking away lots of things in bags.

“They dug out some of the cobbles from the alleyway and even fingerprinted the pay phone on the corner.”

Yasar Mahmood, of nearby Charter Street, said: “This is awful, horrible.

"It makes the area look so unsafe. I do think it neglected though and needs more security.

"You don’t expect something like this to happen in broad daylight.”

Anyone with any information can contact Accrington CID on 08451 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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