Search goes on after knife attack

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/north_yorkshire/7757226.stm

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A major police operation is continuing across north east England to trace a man wanted for questioning about a knife attack on a woman in York.

The 20-year-old woman is critically ill in hospital after the incident at a house in Lowther Street on Saturday morning. Her family are at her bedside.

Police are looking for Steven Maillard, 26, who drove off in the victim's car.

The purple Ford Ka was seen on the A19 heading towards Teesside and then the A689 near Sedgefield in Co Durham.

Det Insp Guy Wilson, of York Police, said: "There's a large team working on this.

"There's numerous officers, all sorts of inquiries going on up and down the north and north east of England in relation to the whereabouts of Mr Maillard and also around the victim and her home address."

Officers said anyone spotting Mr Maillard should not approach him, but should alert the police immediately by calling 999.

Mr Maillard, who is believed to be Swiss, speaks English with an accent.

He is described as white, with short black hair and muscular build. He was smartly dressed, North Yorkshire Police said.

A police spokesman said: "It is believed that he is in possession of the female victim's car - a purple Ford Ka which has the registration number M15 UTL."