Man charged over stabbing outside mosque

Police were called to several incidents of violence following a stabbing near a mosque

A man has been charged in connection with a stabbing outside a mosque which lead to a series of violent incidents, police have said.

Police were called to the Raza Jamia Masjid in Accrington, Lancashire, at about 14:30 BST on Friday where they found a man in his 40s with a stab injury to his back.

He was taken to hospital where he remains in a serious but stable condition.

Ishtaq Hussain, 33, of no fixed address, has been charged with wounding with intent, grievous bodily harm with intent, possessing a bladed article and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

Police said they were then called to nearby Steiner Street at about 17:15 BST to reports of a dozen people fighting with weapons.

A few minutes later, officers were called to Craven Street, also in the area, where another man was found stabbed in the neck.

He was also hospitalised and left in a serious but stable condition, Lancashire Police said.

Police in Warwickshire have since arrested a 22-year-old man from Accrington on suspicion of attempted murder following the second stabbing.

A 36-year-old man as well as two women, aged 33 and 36, were earlier arrested on suspicion of affray and later released on bail.

The three incidents are believed to be linked, police said.