Surge in stabbings in Sudbury linked to personal disputes, drugs and alcohol

There has been a sudden increase in stabbing attacks in Greater Sudbury in recent days.

Sudbury police investigated three such incidents this week alone, including an attack last weekend, and again on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Suspects have been arrested in each case.

Police spokesperson Sarah Kaelas said there are several reasons behind the recent attacks.

"There are several contributing factors that we tend to see leading to these incidents of stabbings, including drugs and alcohol abuse – we tend to see that more … with the young offenders as being a risk factor," Kaelas said.

"Another contributing factor is mental health, socio-economic factors. As well as the easy accessibility of knives. They're easy to purchase, easy to carry and so forth."

Despite the sudden increase, police say in the majority of cases, victims and offenders are known to each other and there is no threat to the general public.

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"The majority of stabbing incidents are targeted and isolated incidents," she said.

"There is no threat to public safety. So no, there is no cause for panic or alarm. The vast majority of stabbing incidents are not happening at random. The victim and the suspect are … known to each other. So, there is no cause for panic."