A 30-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after a 17-year-old girl was stabbed in the back of the neck in broad daylight on a Lancashire street – an attack that has sent shockwaves through the small town of Brierfield.
Junaid Nawaz, of Livingstone Walk, Brierfield, was arrested shortly after police, including armed officers, swarmed Wood Street at 3.06pm on Friday, June 12. The teenager was found with a stab wound to the back of the neck and rushed to hospital, where her injuries were deemed not life-threatening. She has since been discharged and is recovering at home.
“Junaid Nawaz, 30, charged with attempted murder after girl, 17, stabbed in neck in Brierfield.”
Nawaz, who is British born of Pakistani heritage, has also been charged with possession of a knife in a public place. He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear before Blackburn Magistrates Court on Monday morning.
Lancashire Police said extra patrols would be in the area over the weekend to reassure residents. A force spokesperson urged anyone with information or doorbell footage to come forward.
Local MP Oliver Ryan said the attacker and victim are both British, and described the stabbing as “horrific”. In a post on X, he said: “First and foremost, my thoughts are with the young victim … I know this will shock and frighten everyone in our area.” He added that he had been liaising with police and local councillors, and noted there would be increased patrols, though “this is little comfort to local people”.
On social media, residents of the town – which has around 8,000 residents – expressed their shock. One person wrote on Facebook: “So glad the girl has no life threatening injuries.”
The investigation remains active, and police have not disclosed a motive.