COUNCILLORS have condemned youths who are thought to have stabbed a public-spirited neighbour in Bury last weekend.

Police say a man in his 50s was left with stab wounds after confronting a three-strong gang said to have been damaging cars in Burns Avenue, Redvales, on Saturday, at around 10pm.

An investigation into the incident is continuing, after the victim received hospital treatment.

Ward councillors have blasted the troublemakers - and spoken of their desire to start a neighbourhood watch scheme.

Cllr Tamoor Tariq said: “I would like - as I am sure everyone would - to wish the victim a speedy recovery. This is an unfortunate example of the danger faced when tackling anti-social behaviour.

“Councillors will be working with local police to tackle this kind of behaviour and ensure it never happens again.

“We want to look at what powers the council has to stop these things from happening and establish a neighbourhood watch scheme.

“My message to them is to think about the consequences of their actions, which have brought misery to the lives of local people.

“They’ve impacted the welfare of this man and my thoughts and prayers are with the victim and his family. We praise his efforts and will do all we can to route out such criminality.”

“Burns Avenue is a very pleasant area and we would like for it to stay that way.

“We will also do all we can to ensure these people get the message that there is no tolerance for assaulting a man who was just trying to defend himself.”

Cllr Shaheena Haroon added: “This is a shocking incident and our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and his family.

“I’m working with my councillor colleagues to see what we can do to get to the bottom of this issue. The perpetrators need to be brought to justice. This type of behaviour is not acceptable.”

A police spokesman said: “At around 10pm on July 31, police were called to a report of a disturbance on Burns Avenue, Bury. Officers attended and established an altercation had taken place between two groups of males.

“As a result one man has sustained a stab wound and is receiving treatment at hospital.

"(His) injuries are not life threatening and enquiries are ongoing.”