Five arrested after man was bundled into a white van and attacked in Stockport
The victim suffered serious injuries to his face.
Police have arrested five people after a number of violent attacks in Stockport overnight.
In the first incident, on Swann Lane in Cheadle Hulme, three men wearing balaclavas and driving a white van approached a group of men and threatened them with a machete before fleeing.
Police then received a further report of a man being bundled into a white van, as well as a report of a man being assaulted on Ladybridge Road.
Armed officers attended and were flagged down by a man who told them he had been assaulted and robbed at gunpoint in a white van.
Shortly after, police spotted a white van and arrested five men on suspicion of kidnap, robbery and section 18 assault.
The victim suffered serious injuries to his face and was taken to hospital for treatment.
Five men aged 19, 17, 18, 19 years and 27 years, have been arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, section 18 assault and robbery and remain in custody for questioning.
An investigation is ongoing and police are appealing for information.
Detective Inspector Gina Brennand, of GMP’s Stockport borough, said: “This was a terrifying series of attacks that have left one man with some nasty injuries.
“Thankfully, our officers were able to act quickly and arrest five men. However, our investigation continues.
“I would like to ask anyone who may have been in the area at the time, or saw a white van in the vicinity to contact us. Anything you saw could prove to be a vital piece of information.”
Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting incident number 2049 of 08/09/17, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.