Several lines of inquiry into Doncaster machete attack at gym, police say

A gang wielding large knives burst into the TG Boxing Gym in Skellow on Thursday night and attacked two men, both of whom remain in hospital with serious stab wounds.

South Yorkshire Police have moved to reassure people in the local community that the attack was ‘targeted’ and that officers were following up a number of potential leads.

Detective Chief Inspector Nikki Leach, who is leading the investigation said: ”I understand that this incident will have caused serious concern for the Skellow community.

"We often talk of ‘targeted attacks’, which we are certain this was, but that doesn’t take away the fear that this kind of episode creates.

“Let me assure you that we have several positive lines of enquiry and my team, along with resources from across the force, are progressing this investigation at pace.

“We will not tolerate this level of violence in our communities and those responsible will be found and brought to justice.

Police were called to the gym – which is part of the Skellow Grange WMC complex on Skellow Road at 6.53pm on Thursday.

A major emergency incident was declared, with police and ambulances racing to the scene and the area cordoned off.

Unconfirmed reports say a gang wearing balaclavas stormed the gym to carry out the attack before fleeing the scene in a dark coloured car.

A South Yorkshire Police spokesman added: “Were you in the Skellow area on Thursday evening either before 6.53pm or just after? Did you see anything unusual? Do you have CCTV or dash-cam footage that may help?

“If you have information, it’s vital that you come forward and tell somebody what you know. It doesn’t have to be the police; you can stay completely anonymous by contacting the independent charity CrimeStoppers via their website Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling their UK Contact Centre on 0800 555 111.

Please call police on 101 quoting incident 838 of 17 June with any information you may have.