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Man held over schoolgirl stabbing CCTV of stabbed schoolgirl issued
(about 2 hours later)
A 21-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the stabbing of a schoolgirl in Lancashire. Police have released CCTV images of the moments before a schoolgirl was repeatedly stabbed in a park.
Jessica Knight was found "covered in blood" after an unprovoked attack in Astley Park, Chorley, on Monday. Jessica Knight, 14, was found "covered in blood" after the attack in Astley Park, Chorley, Lancashire, on Monday.
The 14-year-old is in a critical condition after what police described as a "frenzied" knife attack. A 21-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with the attack.
She is now stable after undergoing five hours of surgery. Reports on Tuesday suggested she may have been stabbed up to 30 times. The teenager is in a critical but stable condition after undergoing five hours of surgery. Reports suggest she may have been stabbed up to 30 times.
The CCTV images show Jessica visiting a local shop about five minutes before going to the park.
On Wednesday her parents, Jill and Richard, appealed for help in bringing her attacker to justice.
This is a particularly nasty assault on a defenceless young girl Det Supt Steve Brunskill
In a statement they said: "Our daughter was walking through the local public park when she was subjected to a senseless attack.
"She has been stabbed and left for dead. Please contact police with any information to bring the person responsible to justice."
Police said people heard screams and at 1714 GMT a cyclist found Jessica unconscious and bleeding near Astley Hall, about 80m (262ft) from Hallgate Road.Police said people heard screams and at 1714 GMT a cyclist found Jessica unconscious and bleeding near Astley Hall, about 80m (262ft) from Hallgate Road.
She received first aid at the scene before she was taken to Chorley and South Ribble Hospital.She received first aid at the scene before she was taken to Chorley and South Ribble Hospital.
This is a particularly nasty assault on a defenceless young girl Det Supt Steve Brunskill
Simon Corlson, 52, who assisted her, said: "A policeman told me later that she'd been stabbed 30 times.Simon Corlson, 52, who assisted her, said: "A policeman told me later that she'd been stabbed 30 times.
"But I only saw two of the wounds - one to her cheek, the other to her neck, pumping blood.""But I only saw two of the wounds - one to her cheek, the other to her neck, pumping blood."
Police have cordoned off a large area of the park.Police have cordoned off a large area of the park.
Det Supt Steve Brunskill, of Lancashire Police, said Jessica had been spotted on CCTV visiting a local shop at around 1700 GMT, before going to the park. Det Supt Steve Brunskill, of Lancashire Police, said: "This is a particularly nasty assault on a defenceless young girl.
He said: "This is a particularly nasty assault on a defenceless young girl. "I can't think of any motive. Until we find whoever is responsible, people should be cautious. The circumstances of it are we think it's a random attack.
"I can't think of any motive. Until we find whoever is responsible, people should be cautious. "The family are very distressed. As far as we are aware, this is a perfectly normal, happy child. It's mind-boggling how this can occur in this area."
"The circumstances of it are we think it's a random attack.
"The family are very distressed. As far as we are aware, this is a perfectly normal, happy child.
"It's mind-boggling how this can occur in this area."
Extra officers, including mounted police, are currently on patrol in the area.Extra officers, including mounted police, are currently on patrol in the area.