CCTV ‘not working’ as shop man stabbed

CRIME scene ... The shop on Tommyfield market

A KNIFE victim has hit out after being told his horrific ordeal in Oldham town centre was not caught on CCTV because of cost-cutting measures.

Market trader Mohammad Akhlaq Mirza was stabbed by a masked raider last week in a shop on Tommyfield Market.

Only yards away from the Fonezone store stands a towering surveillance camera — but Big Brother wasn’t watching.

Speaking to the Chronicle after the attack, the 51-year-old from Clarksfield and his family said they were launching a petition for more security to be put in place on the outdoor market.

He said: “There’s no safety at all. I’m really upset with my life and the business. I don’t know what to do.”

Mr Mirza revealed that the family business had been targeted three times in two weeks and in the past year, £2,000 worth of phone-related goods have been stolen.

Amazingly Mr Mirza went back to work on Friday, only a day after being stabbed in his midriff by the robber.

After the knife-wielding thief entered the shop, the pair got into a tussle and the shopkeeper was stabbed once.

“I knew I had been stabbed because my front was full of blood.

“He just walked away and stood by a market stall yards away. He then just walked down an alleyway.

“I, like many of the traders on the market, don’t feel safe. We have been told the cameras are not working, because they are too costly.”

Sister-in-law Noreen Mirza (31) angrily reacted to the incident by saying: “What does it take for these cameras to be working. Someone to get seriously hurt, or worse.”

Oldham Council, in charge of the surveillance in the town centre, stated incidents of this nature are “extremely rare” at public sites like Tommyfield Market.

A member of the security team came to the aid of the victim administering first-aid until an ambulance arrived. He was taken to hospital where he treated for his wound.

Cabinet member for housing, transport and regeneration, Councillor Dave Hibbert, said: “I was shocked to hear about this incident at Tommyfield Market and our immediate concerns are for the wellbeing of the trader who was attacked.”

“We have permanent security staff on-site from when traders are setting up in the early hours at 6.30am until the site has emptied at 6.30pm.

“I would also like to praise the actions of our security staff who were on the scene immediately.”

The knifeman is described by police as about 6ft tall and of slim build. He wore dark clothing.

Anyone with any information regarding the incident, which happened around 1.30pm last Thursday, is urged to call police on 0161-856 8951, or to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.