A FORMER deputy leader of Oldham Council believes residents in the "forgotten" Derker community where she lives have "given up" on reporting crime to the police.

Ex-Liberal Democrat councillor Jackie Stanton was speaking in the wake the stabbing of a 71-year-old woman just 50 yards from her own home in Stoneleigh Street early in the evening yesterday (Thursday, November 21).

The woman was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Police believe the incident was linked to another attack which took place on Friday, November 1 at Longfield Crescent not far away.

Then a woman aged 61 was taken to hospital with serious knife wounds, but has since been released.

Mrs Stanton, aged 76, who has now left the Liberal Democrat party because if its stance on reversing Brexit if it were to win the General Election, said that Derker had become the "forgotten area" of Oldham.

She said: "I am convinced there is an under reporting of crime here. When you dial 101 to report incidents to police, you are waiting for ever for the phone to be answered."

And she called on younger members of the community to make their voices heard to the local politicians and community leaders.

"The problem is, we don't do enough shouting," she continued. "We are taken for granted by our politicians and MPs, who don't even bother to respond to my emails when I message them.

"As for our politicians - we don't see them from one election to the next.

"I should be sitting with my feet up, doing what 76-year-old people do, but I can't. The younger people of Derker have got to stand up and demand better.

From yesterday's attack, the offender was described as a white man, around 5ft 7inches, aged over 18, dressed in all black clothing and wearing a black hip length jacket that had a hood covering his chin.

Detective Chief Inspector James Faulkner said: "These were violent and motiveless attacks that has left two vulnerable women fearing for their safety.

“These are clearly two very serious incidents and I am particularly keen to speak to anyone that was on or around Stoneleigh Street and Longfield Crescent at the time of the attacks and may have heard or seen anything unusual or suspicious.

“I would also like to reassure the community that we are doing all we can to protect residents and find those responsible.

"I have a dedicated team of detectives investigating them and you will see extra patrols in these areas over the coming days and weeks.

"Please stay vigilant and report anything suspicious to the police.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 9080, quoting incident number 2062 of 20/10/2019, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.