Anguish of Oldham dad after 16-year-old son stabbed at Derker tram stop

An Oldham father has spoken of his anguish after his son was attacked at Derker tram stop on Friday evening.

The 43-year-old, who we are choosing not to name to protect the identity of his son, says the police response has made the experience even worse.

"I've had to chase the police time and time again to try and get some information about the investigation," he told the Chronicle.  "And each time I've been fobbed off and told nothing about what is happening with the case."

"I'm angry, stressed and frustrated.  I have been begging Greater Manchester Police for some information, but I have been ignored."

His 16-year-old son was attacked on Friday evening at Derker tram stop after being approached by a group of teenagers.  Following an altercation, his son was stabbed and rushed to Manchester Royal Infirmary where he was operated on, and received stitches.  He remained in hospital for three days.

The incident has affected both the man and his son.

"A woman at the stop called me, and I rushed down there to find my son sat in the back of an ambulance covered in blood.  His hoodie had been ripped and used to stem the bleeding.

"Obviously, I joined my son in the ambulance as he was taken into Manchester.  After he was out of theatre, and I knew he was out of immediate danger, I called the police for an update on the case.

"I was told they were unable to share any information with me over the telephone, and I should attend Oldham police station."

But after travelling from Manchester to the police station in Oldham, the man was again refused any information.

"I was begging for answers, and was told nothing.  Who do I have to be to get some information?  My son has been brutally attacked in Oldham, and I was completely in the dark.

"I was stood in a police station, surrounded by posters about a knife amnesty and how GMP are fighting knife crime, and yet nobody would talk to me about my son."

His son - who is autistic - has now been released from hospital, but is suffering from nightmares and anxiety after threats on his life.

"Understandably, he is shocked and scared.  I have to watch my son break down, and shake with anxiety, and I can't tell him anything about his attackers."

The Oldham dad eventually contacted local councillor Peter Dean, who arranged a call from a senior officer at Greater Manchester Police.  However, the worried father only received 'scant information' as investigating officers were 'on holiday until Wednesday'.

"I get the impression that the police are just trying to hush this up, instead of helping me and my son by keeping me updated on the incident.  I haven't even been given a crime number."

Greater Manchester Police confirmed that the team investigating the incident were not back at work until tomorrow.

A spokesperson said: "A 15-year-old boy was arrested in relation to the incident on suspicion of section 18 assault - he has since been released on bail pending further enquiries."

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.