UK
Bradford stabbing: Man arrested on suspicion of assisting offender – as victim named by police
A man has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender following the fatal stabbing of a woman pushing her baby in a pram in Bradford.
West Yorkshire Police say they have arrested a 23-year-old man as part of their search for Habibur Masum – who is wanted on suspicion of murder.
Officers have also named the victim of Saturday’s stabbing as Kulsuma Akter from Oldham.
Police say the 27-year-old was attacked in the Westgate area of Bradford city centre at around 3.20pm on Saturday while walking with her baby.
Habibur Masum, who is wanted by West Yorkshire Police on suspicion of murder. Pic: West Yorkshire Police
Assistant Chief Constable Damien Miller said: “Despite the best efforts of members of the public, ambulance crews and hospital staff, Kulsuma sadly lost her life due to the injuries.
“Her baby is safe and well and was not harmed in this incident.”
Officers searching for Masum say they have carried out “a number of raids” in Burnley, Oldham, and Chester, as part of the investigation.
Masum was last seen at 3.42pm on Killingholme Road on Saturday. Pic: West Yorkshire Police
West Yorkshire Police said suspect and Ms Akter were previously known to each other.
The force said it had referred itself to the police watchdog – the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) – as it had previous contact with the victim.
Greater Manchester Police also said it had referred itself to the IOPC over previous contact with victim and suspect.
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Police search home in Bradford murder case
Police said the search continues for Masum, a 25-year-old from the Oldham area, who has links to Burnley and Chester.
According to his LinkedIn profile, he studied for a masters in marketing and digital marketing at the University of Bedfordshire between 2021 and 2023.
His Facebook page states he is from Sylhet, Bangladesh, and he is believed to be in the UK on a student visa, and later a post-graduate visa after he obtained his degree.
Police at the scene. Pic: Sky News
According to officers, Masum was last seen wearing a duffle coat with three large horizontal lines, grey tracksuit bottoms and maroon trainers.
A witness also told West Yorkshire Police they saw him wearing a grey hoodie with the hood up.
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Officers said Masum was seen on CCTV getting on a bus on Market Street in Bradford at 3.30pm on Saturday.
The last confirmed sighting of the suspect was when he exited the bus at 3.42pm on Killingholme Road and walked in the direction of Bradford Moorpark.
Mr Miller added: “I believe him to still be in the country at this moment in time.”
Greater Manchester Police say they are assisting West Yorkshire Police with their investigation.
“Due to his links to Greater Manchester, we have our specialist officers following several lines of enquiry to locate him,” said Detective Superintendent Jude Holmes from the force’s Oldham district.
“I urge members of the public to remain vigilant, and if you have any information on his whereabouts, call 999 as a matter of urgency.”