Dramatic security footage has emerged capturing the moment a knifeman calmly walked into a café in Bolton and launched a violent attack on a customer, before sitting down to await his arrest by police.
Shocking CCTV Footage from The Deli
The incident occurred at The Deli café on Tonge Moor Road, Bolton, Lancashire, at approximately 10.30am on Tuesday morning. The CCTV video shows a bespectacled man, believed to be in his 50s, entering the premises and approaching a younger male customer who was eating his meal.
Without warning, the assailant lunges forward and stabs the diner in the chest with a kitchen knife. The victim, visibly stunned, immediately jumps to his feet and begins fighting back, throwing several punches at the attacker's head.
Heroic Intervention by Staff Member
As the knifeman stumbles backwards towards the counter, appearing dazed from the counter-attack, a quick-thinking member of staff seizes the opportunity to grab the weapon from his hand. The injured customer, while dabbing at his chest wound, prevents the attacker from fleeing the scene.
Remarkably, the assailant then sits down at a table while staff lead the heroic diner behind the counter to safety and call the emergency services. Three police cars rushed to the location, where officers discovered two men suffering from stab wounds.
Although an official update on their condition has not been released, it is understood both victims sustained only minor injuries. A man in his 50s was arrested at the scene on suspicion of assault and remains in police custody for questioning.
Police Investigation and Community Reaction
A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police confirmed: 'Emergency services attended, and two men were treated by medical professionals on site for stab wounds. Enquiries are ongoing.' Officers remained at the location on Wednesday, conducting door-to-door enquiries as part of their investigation.
The police presence attracted significant attention from local residents and passers-by, with several people stopping their vehicles to observe the scene. Management at The Deli took to their Facebook page to address the incident, expressing gratitude to the customer who intervened.
Their message stated: 'Regarding the incident that took place this morning on Tonge Moor Rd; This incident has followed down and spilled into our premises. We would like to assure you all, our customers and staff are safe and helping GMP with their investigation.'
The café management added: 'We would also like to thank our customer today who helped during the incident, keeping us safe. Of course he will receive free orders for life!' Due to the disruption, the establishment closed for the remainder of the day.
Local Residents Express Safety Concerns
Speaking to The Bolton News, several residents voiced growing concerns about safety in the Tonge Moor area. One local remarked: 'You're not safe in Tonge Moor at all. There's all these things, people with knives, and you're looking round when you walk. It's scary.'
Another resident commented: 'My daughter goes to school here there can be a lot of anti-social behaviour, and people with balaclavas, but they have never bothered me. This side of Tonge Moor is mainly locals.'
The café's management concluded their Facebook statement by apologising for any inconvenience caused and assuring customers they would reopen soon. The shocking footage serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of such violent incidents in community settings.
