Man arrested over fatal stabbing of woman in Bradford city centre

A 25-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a mother as she pushed her baby in a pram in Bradford city centre.

West Yorkshire police said officers had detained him after a four-day manhunt across the north of England.

The force launched a murder investigation after a 27-year-old woman was stabbed in the neck while shopping with a friend on Saturday afternoon.

The woman, who is yet to be formally identified, had her baby with her when she was attacked, police said.

The man, from Oldham, was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday morning in the Aylesbury area, West Yorkshire police said in a statement.

DCI Stacey Atkinson, from the force’s homicide and inquiry team, said: “This is a tragic incident in which a mother has lost her life in the most horrific of circumstances.

“We understand that this has caused a considerable amount of concern in the local community. Local neighbourhood policing teams are patrolling the area conducting reassurance to the community.

“We would like to thank Thames Valley police for their support and assistance in this matter.”

A 23-year-old man was also arrested in Cheshire on suspicion of assisting an offender.

The baby was unharmed and a knife was recovered from the scene. West Yorkshire police said the woman and the 25-year-old man were known to each other.

DCI Stacey Atkinson earlier said the murder “in such shocking circumstances” had caused “considerable concern” in the community.

She added: “Residents can expect to continue to see a significant police presence in Bradford as we make further inquiries and conduct reassurance patrols in the area.”