Two teenagers aged 13 and 15 have been arrested following a stabbing in Bolton.
A 17-year-old boy was left in a serious condition in hospital after being attacked on Church Street, Westhoughton, at around 9.15pm on Friday night, police say.
Detectives believe the victim was one of two 17-year-old males who were approached by a group of approximately six people. The group then assaulted the two boys and demanded they hand over items.
One of the victims was able to flee the scene with minor injuries but the attackers continued to assault the second boy before stabbing him.
Despite receiving serious injuries, the boy fled but was chased and further attacked by the group on Market Street.
They eventually left him in the street where he was found by emergency crews and taken to hospital. He is still in a serious condition but police say he is stable and his injuries are no longer believed to be life-threatening.
A 13-year-old boy and 15-year-old boy have since been arrested on suspicion of assault. They have both been released on bail pending further enquiries.
Det Insp Andrew Fallows of GMP’s Bolton district, said: “This was an abhorrent and violent assault on two teenagers and our thoughts are very much with the boy who remains in hospital for treatment.
“We’re taking this incident incredibly seriously and understand the concern and worry events like this can cause for the community.
"We currently have heightened police resources in the area and this will continue and we encourage anyone with any concerns to speak with officers in the area.
“We believe there were multiple witnesses to this assault so we’re taking this opportunity to appeal to anyone in the area at the time or with any information to get in touch with police.”
Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 5757 quoting 2882 of 19/02/21.
Alternatively details can be passed on anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
