Huddersfield murder: Five arrested after factory worker ‘stabbed to death confronting group’

Second man suffers serious injury in same assault ‘while trying to help man who died’

The attack took place outside the Thornton & Ross pharmaceutica plant on Manchester Road in Linthwaite around 11.45pm on Thursday (Google Maps)

Five people have been arrested after a factory worker was killed and another man seriously injured in an attack in Huddersfield.

West Yorkshire Police said a 53-year-old man suffered fatal injuries in an assault by “several persons” in the grounds of the Thornton & Ross pharmaceutical works in the Linthwaite area on Thursday evening.

Workers at the plant said the man who died was a member of staff who is understood to have been stabbed as he confronted a group of people at the site.

A 39-year-old man who suffered a serious injury and is being treated in hospital is believed to have tried to help the man who died.

A member of staff at T&R, who asked not to be named, told the Press Association: “It’s been getting bad for a while round here with groups of youths. He was a lovely chap – we are all gutted.”

Four men and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder and remain in police custody.

The force said in a statement: ”Police are appealing for witnesses following the launch of a murder investigation after two men were attacked in Huddersfield.”

It added: “The Homicide and Major Enquiry Team are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which took place at about 11.45pm on Thursday 16 January outside a business on Manchester Road in Linthwaite.

“Officers were called to the location to a report that two men had been attacked outside the premises by several persons.”

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Ridley said: “This has clearly been an extremely serious incident and the investigation is in its early stages to determine exactly what has taken place.

“We have arrested five people in connection with the attacks on both men and they remain in custody for questioning.

“I wish to thank witnesses who have come forward so far and I would appeal to anyone who has information or footage showing the incident or persons behaving suspiciously on the road just prior to it taking place to contact us.

“Increased patrols are being conducted in the area by local neighbourhood policing team officers, and I want to reassure residents that a full range of resources has been deployed to investigate what has taken place."

Jason McCartney, the MP for Colne Valley, said on Twitter: “I’ve been briefed by the police on the horrific incident in Linthwaite last night — five arrests have been made as part of the murder investigation — my thoughts are with the family, friends & colleagues of the victim.”

Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman said: “I am deeply saddened to hear about the tragic murder in Linthwaite last night.

“My thoughts are with all those affected.”