SHOCKED neighbours have been left reeling after a fight in the town centre ended with three people being stabbed.
Police closed off the junction of Manchester Road and Alfred Street for most of Sunday afternoon.
Colin Mills has managed a Hoover Service Centre on the corner of that intersection for 50 years. The store was not open at the time of the attack, so he first heard about it through the Adver.
He said: "It's terrible, very sad, I'm shocked. All the time I've been here, I've never seen any confrontation of any sort. Fly-tipping is more of a problem.
"Perhaps if there were more police about, that would be a good idea. And if people see anything when things like this happen, do they keep quiet? People have to speak out."
Police have arrested six people aged between 23 and 47 - one of whom was taken into custody on suspicion of GBH - after three victims suffered minor stab wounds.
The force has sent more officers to patrol the area in a bid to reassure residents after what has been described as a targeted attack.
At around midday on Monday, one police car was parked on Alfred Street.
A neighbour who did not give their name said: "I heard shouting and at first, I thought it was just the neighbours through the walls.
"Then I realised it was coming from outside and assumed it was a row over parking, that happens sometimes.
"I didn't open the door or go outside because I didn't want to get involved.
"The next thing I knew, there was a policewoman knocking at the door and she asked if I'd heard anything or knew about the car parked nearby, which got towed away later.
"The police and forensics were here until quite late. I was shocked to learn it was a stabbing. I'm glad I got home from town an hour earlier than usual, that was lucky.
"This can be a difficult area but we have not had that sort of thing for a while, it's been a lot better and calmer around here recently.
"People are more family-oriented, I've got lovely neighbors and the problems have not been as bad as they were years ago.
"I don't think it will happen again, it was a one-off and not random, though still not very nice, but you can't lock yourself up at home all day."
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