05/03/2008

Man Dies In Lancashire Park Fight

A man has been fatally stabbed after he intervened in a fight in a Lancashire park.

Mohammed Shafiq, 50, from York Street in Nelson died following the incident in Thompson Park in Burnley on Tuesday afternoon.

Police said that between 40 and 50 people were at the scene of the fight, which happened around 1:30pm, but it is not known how many people were actually involved in the fight.

Mr Shafiq, a father-of-five, died on Tuesday night in Royal Blackburn Hospital. Police said that he had been hit on the head with an iron bar and stabbed in the abdomen.

Four people, aged between 16 and 20, have been arrested on suspicion of murder, while a 17-year-old boy has also been arrested on a violent disorder charge.

On Wednesday, it was revealed that police are investigating whether the stabbing of Mr Shafiq was related to an alleged attack on his teenage son five months ago.

The attack is not being treated as racially motivated, with reports that those involved in the fight were all described as Asian.

A boating lake is being drained in the area where the stabbing took place, in order to try and find a murder weapon.

A grassy, flat bank next to the lake has also been cordoned off and forensic teams are at the scene.

A family friend told reporters that Mr Shafiq, who he described as a "devoted family man", had received a call from his son saying that a gang of youths were bullying him. The man said that Mr Shafiq had phoned the police, before making his own way over to his see his son.

Detective Superintendent Mick Gradwell from Lancashire Police appealed for anyone with any information to come forward. He said: "We are actively seeking others in connection with the stabbing."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on: 01282 425001 or Crimestoppers anonymously on: 0800 555 111.

(KMcA/JM)


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