Residents in a quiet Tameside neighborhood expressed shock after a violent assault left a man in his 30s with serious injuries. The attack occurred on Greenside Crescent in Droylsden around 6 p.m. on Friday, January 30, involving multiple assailants armed with weapons. Authorities confirm the victim was not stabbed but sustained significant harm requiring hospital treatment.
The street remained secured with a cordon into the following day, where a blue forensic tent was set up at the scene. Officers conducted searches in the surrounding area and visited homes to gather details about the incident.
Eyewitness Accounts of the Disturbance
Locals described the peaceful, family-oriented street turning chaotic as screams pierced the evening air. Scott Anderton, 28, who lives nearby, recounted the moment while watching television with his son: “I heard lots of screaming and shouting. Blood-curdling screaming. I looked out and there was two people in hoods stood there. They just bolted. People ran out and there was a lot of running back and forth between houses.”
Anderton noted that police arrived about 20 minutes later, sealing off the area and erecting the tent. He added, “We were worried someone had died. The police were here all night and all day today. It’s scary. This is a child-heavy area and I’m out with my son all the time. It’s not nice to think it’s happened here.”
A nearby woman, arriving home from work, witnessed the aftermath: “We pulled up and a couple of the neighbors were both out, and someone was on the floor. It looked like he was covered in blood. I asked if they needed any help and they said ‘no, it’s okay, the police were on their way.’ The kids play out on the street all the time; there’s lots of them around here.”
Billy Roberts, 56, learned of the event while at a local pub: “I was in the pub with my mate who also lives here. He got a call from his missus saying there had been some trouble in the street. He came round and the police were here and there were loads of flashing lights.” Roberts described the area as typically calm, saying, “It’s shocking. You don’t really get much around here. It’s quite a quiet crescent. You don’t really see any trouble or violence. So it was definitely a bit of a shock to hear it. I wish him all the best and hope he makes a speedy recovery.”
Another resident, who has lived in the area for nearly 30 years, emerged around 6:30 p.m. to find the street taped off: “All we were told was that it was a serious incident. They said they were waiting for a sniffer dog to come in. It was a shock. It’s normally a very quiet street. There’s never been anything like this.”
Police Investigation and Appeal
Greater Manchester Police are working to determine the motive behind the assault, which they believe involved several individuals wielding weapons. Detective Inspector Paul Cawsey of Tameside CID stated: “The investigation is at an early stage as we try to establish the motivation behind this incident that has resulted in a man being treated at the scene and in hospital. It is believed the assault was carried out by a number of individuals using weapons that have caused serious injury to the victim. We have officers in the area as we continue our investigation and to provide a reassuring presence.”
Authorities urge anyone with information, including CCTV, doorbell, or phone footage from the area, to come forward. Contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting log 2715-30/01/2026.
