Twenty-one-year-old arrested over teen's stabbing (Roundup)

By Rich Bowden, M&C Staff Writer Jan 23, 2008, 11:59 GMT

(M&C) - A 21-year-old man has been arrested and is being held in police custody over the attempted stabbing murder of a Lancashire schoolgirl.

Jessica Knight, 14, is recovering in Chorley hospital after she was the victim of a multiple stab wound attack in Astley Park, Chorley, on Monday.

Lancashire police Detective Superintendent Steve Brunskill said earlier in a statement that Miss Knight had entered the park after visiting nearby shops.

"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 16:30 GMT and 17:30 GMT yesterday to contact the incident room at Chorley," he said.

"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."

DS Brunskill added: "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."

Passer-by Simon Corlson, 52, who assisted the victim, 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."

Police say extra officers have been assigned to search the area for clues.

Update: Police have releases CCTV footage of Miss Knight moments prior to her attack reports the BBC. The CCTV shows her visiting the shop nearby.