Hunt for 2 males in darkish clothes after a girl is stabbed in park in broad daylight assault

Police are hunting two men after a woman was stabbed in broad daylight in a park in County Durham on Sunday. 

The woman, said to be in her 50s, was approached by a man in Hardwick Green Park, Stockton-on-Tees at approximately 1.40pm on May 3.

The man, who was described as wearing dark clothing and a face covering, is believed to have been accompanied by another person on a pedal bike. 

The first suspect is alleged to have attacked the woman with a knife before both men fled into a wooded region of the park. 

The woman suffered a stab wound but her injuries were said by police not to be life-threatening. 

Detectives are now hunting the two men in connection with the attack, which Cleveland Police described as a ‘targeted assault’.

Police have sought to reassure local residents that the assailants do not present a threat to the wider community. 

Pictures shared online showed a police cordon erected around a small section of the park close to houses and a tower block. 

Police are hunting two men after a woman was stabbed in broad daylight in a park in County Durham on Sunday

In a previous incident on April 20 a woman was dragged to the floor near the park play area before managing to escape, although it is not known if there is any connection between the two attacks.  

Detective Sergeant Paul Edmonds, from Stockton CID, said: ‘I understand this incident may cause some concern, however, this appears to have been a targeted assault with no threat to the wider community.

‘Detectives are carrying out several lines of enquiries and are urging anyone who was in the park at the time and saw what happened to contact the police. Similarly, we’d like to hear from anyone with any relevant dash cam or CCTV footage.

‘Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting reference 083578. Information can also be passed to Crimestoppers anonymously online or by calling 0800 555 111.’