Boys hunted over savage assault

A MAN was smashed in the head with an iron bar by three boys as young as 13.

The 21-year-old needed 10 stitches and suffered a fractured shoulder after he was attacked close to the Moston/Chadderton border.

He was targeted by three boys, aged between 13 and 15, in a shortcut which runs alongside the Rochdale-Manchester railway line between Nuthurst Road and Hollinwood Avenue.

They had their faces covered with scarves and demanded his possessions. He refused and was attacked with the iron bar one of the boys had hidden up his sleeve.

The trio escaped with a small amount of cash sometime between 9.45pm and 10pm on Friday.

PC Colin Ridgway said: “This was an absolutely appalling, unprovoked and savage attack on a young man who was walking home.

“This could have happened to any one of us so I would ask potential witnesses to put themselves in this man’s shoes. It could have been your brother, husband, father, son, so if you have any information at all please come forward.

“Nuthurst Road is a busy main road so there would have been motorists passing who may have seen this horrific assault. If so, please do get in touch.

“Fortunately, the victim is recovering well, but his injuries could have been even more severe given the beating he received.

“We are looking for a dangerous group of boys, and we are talking boys, who need to be caught and punished.

“I would also like to send a message to parents in the area. Do you know where your children are and what they were doing?

“If you suspect your children were the culprits, please do the right thing because the next time, we could be dealing with an even more serious injury.”

The boy with the iron bar was white, about 5ft tall, slim and had a deep, local accent. He was wearing a black, hooded Trespass coat, black trousers and had the lower part of his face covered by a grey scarf.

People with information should call Collyhurst Police Station on 0161-856 3953 or Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800-555 111.