Man, 31, in critical condition after stabbing

GMP

Police are appealing for witnesses after a 31-year-old man was stabbed at a nightclub in Rochdale.

At about 2.40am on Christmas Day, police were called to Sinclair's Bar on Drake Street, following reports of a large disturbance.

Officers attended and discovered the club's security had already ejected a number of people who were inside. Police then closed the premises.

It was reported that a group of between 10 and 20 men had gone inside the club, which was hosting an organised event, and the atmosphere turned violent with several reports of fights inside.

After police closed the premises, officers were made aware that a 31-year-old man had been stabbed and had been taken to hospital, where he remains in a critical condition.

Police are now appealing to anyone with information to come forward.

Detective Sergeant Andrew Butterworth, of Rochdale CID, said: "When police arrived at the scene, the club's security staff had already ejected a number of people who were inside so we were unable to speak to them.

"Clearly, these people have vital information that will assist our investigation and are key witnesses for us so I would urge anyone who was inside the club at the time and saw what happened to call us.

"We believe a group of men essentially gate-crashed an organised event, which resulted in a number of fights and a man suffering very serious stab wounds.

"It is therefore crucial we build up an accurate picture of what happened so I would appeal to anyone with information to come forward."

Anyone who has information should call police on 101, Rochdale CID on 0161 856 4646 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.