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Girl stabbed in 'frenzied' attack Girl stabbed in 'frenzied' attack
(about 4 hours later)
A 14-year-old girl is critically ill after what police say was a "frenzied" knife attack in a park. A 14-year-old girl is critically ill after she was repeatedly stabbed in a "frenzied" and unprovoked attack.
The teenager was found with multiple stab wounds by a passer-by in Astley Park in Chorley, Lancashire, on Monday. Police are warning people in Chorley, Lancashire, to take extra precautions until the offender has been caught.
She was given first aid at the scene and taken to Chorley Hospital, where she has undergone surgery and is said to be in a critical condition. Jessica Knight was found with multiple wounds by a passer-by in the town's Astley Park on Monday afternoon.
Police are appealing for witnesses to help piece together events leading up to the attack. She was given first aid at the scene and taken to Chorley and South Ribble Hospital, where she underwent four hours of surgery.
The girl was found near to Astley Hall about 80m (87 yards) from Hallgate Road at about 1715 GMT, police said. Officers are appealing for witnesses to help piece together events leading up to the attack.
She went into the park, often used as a gathering place by young people, after visiting the shops at Astley Village. They have cordoned off a large area of the park, which is a popular spot with dog walkers and is also used as a thoroughfare by local people.
It is set in Astley Village, an affluent area north of Chorley which has council offices on one side and sheltered housing on the other.
Jessica had gone into the park at about 1700 GMT, after she had been seen on CCTV cameras at a shop in Astley Village.
We are unsure of the motive and would urge people in the area to take precautions for their own safety Det Supt Steve BrunskillWe are unsure of the motive and would urge people in the area to take precautions for their own safety Det Supt Steve Brunskill
Det Supt Steve Brunskill, of Lancashire Police, said: "This is a particularly nasty assault on a defenceless young girl and I am appealing for anyone who was in the Astley Village or Astley Park area between 1630 and 1730 GMT yesterday to contact the incident room at Chorley. Police said members of the public heard screams and at about 1714 GMT and a cyclist found her unconscious and "covered in blood" near Astley Hall, about 80m (262ft) from Hallgate Road.
Det Supt Steve Brunskill, of Lancashire Police, said: "This is a particularly nasty assault on a defenceless young girl.
"I am appealing for anyone who was in the Astley Village or Astley Park area between 1630 and 1730 GMT yesterday to contact the incident room at Chorley.
"We have a couple of people in the buildings surrounding the scene who have overheard some screams - other than that, we do not have any witnesses.
"I am particularly interested to hear from anyone who may have seen any suspicious behaviour or who has noticed anything in the area recently that has aroused their suspicion."I am particularly interested to hear from anyone who may have seen any suspicious behaviour or who has noticed anything in the area recently that has aroused their suspicion.
"At this early stage of the investigation we are unsure of the motive and would urge people in the area to take precautions for their own safety until this dangerous offender, or offenders, are caught.""At this early stage of the investigation we are unsure of the motive and would urge people in the area to take precautions for their own safety until this dangerous offender, or offenders, are caught."
Officers are with the girl's family at hospital and are waiting to speak to the teenager to try to piece together what happened. Officers are with Jessica's family at hospital and are waiting to speak to the teenager to try to piece together what happened.
Mr Brunskill added: "She underwent an awful lot of surgery and she was in a bad way. She is stable now."
Extra officers, including mounted police, will be on patrol in the area.Extra officers, including mounted police, will be on patrol in the area.
Officers will also be visiting local schools, and a mobile police station will be set up in the Astley Village area.Officers will also be visiting local schools, and a mobile police station will be set up in the Astley Village area.