17-year-old stabbed and 16-year-old assaulted

Two teenage boys have been assaulted in Rochdale.

Police were called to Further Pitts in Rochdale at 3.30pm on Wednesday 8 January 2014 to reports of a man with stab wounds.

Officers attended and found that a 17-year-old boy had suffered a puncture wound to his lower back, and a 16-year-old boy suffered facial injuries.

The 17-year-old boy remains in hospital in a stable condition and the other has been released.

Soon after the incident a 17-year-old and a 16-year-old boy were arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent and remain in police custody

On Thursday 9 January 2014, further three men aged 21, 18 and 16 have been arrested in connection with the assaults and they remain in custody.

Detectives are appealing for information.

Rochdale North Inspector Umer Khan said: "We are at the early stages of our enquiries and while arrests have been made, we are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed what happened to call us.

"We believe this incident was not a random attack and has arisen out of of a disagreement among schoolchildren, but it happened outside of school grounds.

"We would like to reassure residents that we are doing all we can to investigate the circumstances that led to one boy in particular suffering a serious injury.

"Patrols in the area have been stepped up and we are doing all we can to not only engage with resident, but also schools and out partner agencies, with whom we are working closely."

Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 0161 856 9961 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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