A Rochdale teen was stabbed in the back in broad daylight after a dispute with a gang yesterday.
Two school children aged 17 and 16, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had an argument with a group of men and teens in Further Pitts at around 3.30pm yesterday.
Officers arrived on scene and discovered that the 17-year-old boy had been stabbed in his lower back, and the 16-year-old boy had suffered facial injuries.
The 17-year-old is in a stable condition in hospital while the other has been discharged.
Soon after the incident another two boys, aged 16 and 17, were arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent and remain in police custody.
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 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.”
Three further men aged 21, 18 and 16 have been arrested today in connection with the assaults and remain in police custody.
Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 0161 856 9961 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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