A man was savagely attacked in Leigh as police uncover signs of a deadly, premeditated ambush

A terrifying gang assault in Leigh has escalated into a suspected murder conspiracy after a woman in her twenties was dramatically arrested in connection with the brutal ambush that left a man with life-changing injuries.

The horror unfolded around 10.50 pm on Friday night, when the victim—who had been driving through the junction of Eva Street and Ena Crescent—was suddenly forced to a stop as a black Volvo rammed his car.

Within seconds, the calm of the residential street was shattered. Witnesses watched in disbelief as up to four masked suspects leapt from the Volvo, smashed the windows of the victim’s car, and launched a savage assault using weapons. The ferocity of the attack left the man seriously injured, with police later confirming that his condition is now considered life-altering.

But the violence didn’t end there. As police and paramedics rushed to the scene, the gang had already fled, setting their getaway vehicle ablaze in remote fields near Leigh to destroy evidence. The smouldering wreckage of the Volvo was found hours later, a grim testament to the level of premeditation involved.

Greater Manchester Police wasted no time ramping up their response. Detectives pored over local CCTV and began a targeted investigation across Leigh, focusing on known gang hotspots. On Tuesday morning, officers raided a property in the Westleigh area, where a young woman in her twenties was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. She remains in custody for questioning.

Detective Chief Inspector Andrew Naismith, leading the investigation, confirmed the growing seriousness of the case. “We now believe this was a pre-planned and deliberate act of extreme violence,” he said. “This wasn’t a random assault—it was an orchestrated ambush designed to inflict maximum harm.”

Residents say the attack has left their community shaken. “This street is usually quiet—kids play here,” said one local mother. “Then you hear someone was beaten half to death, and cars are being set on fire? It’s like something out of a film.”

The incident is the latest in a string of violent gang-related offences in Greater Manchester, raising urgent questions about safety and law enforcement’s ability to pre-empt such attacks. Several residents voiced frustration over what they perceive as a growing climate of impunity for gang activity in the area.

“This was an attempted execution, not just a brawl,” said another neighbour. “They came ready. They had weapons. They had a car to burn. That’s military-level planning. And it could happen to anyone.”

Police believe more suspects are at large and are urging anyone with dashcam, doorbell footage, or information about the black Volvo’s movements to come forward. Detectives are also working to establish the motive—whether the victim was targeted due to a personal dispute, a gang rivalry, or something more sinister.

As the investigation deepens, questions mount. Why was the victim chosen? How long had the ambush been in the works? And how many more suspects remain hidden in plain sight?

With gang-related crimes surging across the region, many now fear this horrifying case is part of a broader pattern—one that demands urgent intervention before more families find themselves caught in the crossfire.