Detectives want to speak to two potential witnesses following New Year's Day murder in Rochdale

At around 2:30am on Wednesday 1 January 2025, our response officers in Rochdale were called to Sussex Street and Essex Street to reports of someone with a severe knife wound following a disturbance in the street.

Despite the best attempts of emergency services at the scene a 38-year-old man, named Alberto Ursu sadly died from injuries.

Our specialised Major Incident Team are continuing to investigate, whilst Hassan Suliman (20/05/1994) of Rothesay Terrace, Rochdale, has been charged with his murder.

As enquiries continue, two potential witnesses have now been identified from CCTV footage.

Just prior to the murder, at around midnight two people walked past Essex Street in the direction of Milkstone Road, with the man carrying an iPad before it was knocked out of his hand and then retrieving it in the moments after the incident, thankfully unharmed.

It is important to make clear these two people are not connected in any way to the murder. Our detectives are keen to speak to them as they believe they have potential information that could help with the detailed investigation.

Detective Inspector Paul Davies from our Major Incident Team said: “Since we became aware of the incident, we have explored numerous lines of enquiry and during this have identified two people who we believe could be key witnesses.

“Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to reach out to them at present or identify who they are. This is why we are doing this public appeal as we want them to come forward to help us and offer any information or detail, they may have.

“I want to make it clear though they are not connected in any way to the murder of Alberto, as we remain focused on bringing the answers his loved ones deserve, and our thoughts and condolences are very much still with them.”

Anyone with information, however small or insignificant it may seem, should contact GMP in confidence on 101, quoting incident number 715 of 01/01/2025.

Alternatively, reports can be made anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.