A 13-year-old boy was stabbed inside the toilets of a Taco Bell restaurant in Rochdale town centre in what police have described as a 'serious and sustained attack' that could have had 'far more tragic consequences'. The teenager remains in hospital with serious injuries.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said the boy was knifed inside the restaurant on Riverside Walk after claims that dozens of youths, some carrying knives, ran inside. Two teenage boys were later arrested on suspicion of assault and possession of a bladed article, and remained in custody for questioning on Sunday.
Police presence and enhanced powers
Rochdale town centre and a defined area around it will be flooded with officers from Sunday afternoon to 'restore peace' after multiple reports of gangs of roaming youths in face coverings armed with weapons, GMP said. The area covered includes the whole of the town centre and Broadfield Park.
Enhanced stop-and-search powers have been authorised for officers on the ground, enabling them to order youths to remove all face coverings and leave the defined area. Police chiefs also pointed to 'wider disorder' occurring, although details of any other incidents have not been disclosed.
Witness describes 'horrific moment'
A man and his family, who were dining at the restaurant at the time, witnessed the incident. David Lane told the Manchester Evening News of the 'horrific moment' and how his actions helped save the boy.
"We sat down and ordered our food at around 5.50pm, then a load of kids came in and started fighting," he said. "I got up and went to one of the crew members at Taco Bell and asked them to kick them out because my family was there."
"I told them to lock the door, and they never did. About ten minutes later, the crew member who was guarding the door was pushed by one of them, then around 20 to 25 youths ran in, some with knives."
"I heard a load of crying and screaming. That's when the lad got stabbed," he continued. "I grabbed a load of napkins and put pressure on the wound. It looked like he lost a lot of blood. It was a hectic scene."
Investigation ongoing
Chief Inspector Michael Barton, Neighbourhoods lead for GMP's Rochdale district, said the force was 'fully committed to locating the offenders involved in the disturbing events that unfolded'.
"Our dedicated team of detectives, led by senior investigating officers, is working tirelessly to piece together the full story of the serious assault and the wider disorder that occurred," he said. "While our investigation is still in its early stages, we are exploring every possible lead to ensure that everyone involved is identified and held accountable."
Detective Superintendent Richard Hunt said of the boy's stabbing: "This was a serious and sustained attack that could have had far more tragic consequences. Our team of experienced detectives is working around the clock to understand exactly what happened, identify all those involved, and secure the strongest possible evidence."
The restaurant was evacuated and remains closed as enquiries are ongoing. Anyone with information or video footage is being asked to contact GMP.
