Man arrested after woman murdered in Stockport

A man has been arrested after a woman was stabbed to death in a Stockport home.

The 39-year-old woman is understood to have been attacked at a house in Cheadle Hulme on Monday evening, dying a short time afterwards.

Police last night launched a full-scale murder hunt for a male suspect who fled the scene following the incident and officers spent three hours combing the area.

A man aged 39 was later arrested after handing himself into police. He was tonight being questioned on suspicion of murder.

During the search, the force helicopter and police sniffer dogs were deployed.

Residents in the residential surburb reported a large number of police cars and ambulances at around 7.40pm at the large semi-detached property at the junction with Moseley Road, directly opposite Cheadle College.

Forensic officers were last night carrying out investigations at the scene.

The property is understood to be home to a large family.

One woman was seen in the garden ‘weeping uncontrollably’, according to eyewitnesses.

Up to seven police cars and four ambulance vehicles responded to the incident.

One resident said: “I live on the road and I saw the incident as I went past. There were seven police car and a couple of ambulance first response vehicles. Further down the road, there was a police van and an ambulance.

“All the police cars were empty. But I couldn’t see any officers on the street.

“The house that was cordoned off was quite a big one. There was one woman outside who was screaming hysterically. It was quite unnerving.”

Detective Superintendent Tony Creely, from GMP's Serious Crimes Division, said: “First of all our thoughts go out to the family of the woman at this dreadful time.

“We have launched a murder investigation and a 39-year-old man has been arrested. He is now in custody and being questioned by detectives.

“The investigation is in it’s very early stages, however we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the murder.

“Anyone who may have any information which could help us with our investigation is asked to contact police on 101, or via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

“Any information you may have could be helpful, no matter how small it may seem.”