THE Eastern European community in Hereford is being urged to help find a cyclist who may have witnessed one of the stabbings which took place in the city earlier this month.

The plea comes after two men were stabbed in the city on Tuesday, April 2.

The first incident happened on Westfaling Street and the second took place on a footpath between Golden Post and the Belmont estate.

The team investigating the attacks have been made aware of a man who was cycling in the area where the second stabbing occurred at around 3.50pm. Despite extensive inquiries, the identity of this man is still not known.

Officers would like to stress that they are keen to speak to this man as a witness only and that there is no evidence at all to suggest he played any part in the attacks.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Williamson, who is leading the investigation, said: “The man we are trying to find alerted a member of the public, who was walking along Hunderton Road at the time, to the victim of the second stabbing.

“This man is described as white, aged 20 to 30, of a muscular build with a broad back. He had short, brown hair which was neatly brushed forward and he had a generally tidy appearance. It is not known what he was wearing or the type of bicycle he was riding.

“He is further described as speaking with a foreign accent, which sounded Eastern European in origin and this is why we are appealing directly to the local Eastern European community in the hope that they may be able to help us find him.

“I would like to reassure this man that he is in no way being sought as a suspect but that he could be a vital witness. He is not in any trouble and we simply need to establish what he saw that afternoon.

“Even if he did not see the attacks take place, he may have been the first person to come across the second victim and as such, we need to speak to him as a matter of urgency.

“Over the next week, we will be handing out leaflets and posters in Polish and Lithuanian in an attempt to try and trace this man and I would urge him – or anyone who knows who he may be – to call us straightaway on 101.”

Anyone else who witnessed either incident and has not yet spoken to the police is also encouraged to call the investigation team. Alternatively, people can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

  • Two people – both from Peterborough – have previously appeared in court charged in connection with the stabbings. Joanne Dennehey, aged 30, has been charged with two counts of attempted murder and Gary Stretch,  47, has been charged with encouraging or assisting in the commission of indictable offences, believing that one or more will be committed (under the Serious Crime Act 2007).