Teenager is attacked by gang of five

Police are making house-to-house inquiries after a teenager was assaulted by five thugs as he walked home in Chadderton

The 17-year-old was on a field off Sycamore Avenue when he was confronted by up to five men wearing dark hooded tops.

One demanded his mobile phone, so the boy started to walk quicker to get home, but two of the gang blocked his path with cycles and another grabbed him by the forearm.

Fearing he would be attacked, the boy pushed the attacker away and ran off but was caught and punched in the face and body.

The boy eventually managed to struggle free and ran home, where his parents called police.

Officers are now appealing to anyone with information about the attack on August 2 at about 10.35pm to come forward.

The main offender was of mixed race, about 5ft 11in tall, with shaved hair and wearing a grey sweatshirt. The rest were all in dark clothes.

PC Philip Wilson, of the Oldham Volume Crime Team, said: “Whatever the motive for this attack — be it because this group saw a young boy on his own and tried to take advantage or something else — the offenders need to be caught and punished.

“Violence like this is absolutely inexcusable and I would appeal to anyone who knows anything about this attempted robbery to call us and help us identify those responsible.

“We will be conducting house-to-house inquiries in the area and doing everything we can to get to the bottom of this because the victim deserves to know who was behind this.

“I also want to appeal to parents in the area — do you know where your son was at this time?

“Please, if you do suspect something, then do the right thing and call us so that no one else is attacked in this way.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Greater Manchester Police on 0161 856 4553, 0161 856 1978 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555 111.