Four teenagers arrested after 13-year-old stabbed near Rochdale shopping centre

A 13-year-old boy remains in hospital after being stabbed near the Riverside Shopping Centre in Rochdale on Saturday evening. Four more teenagers have since been arrested.

Four arrests after teenager stabbed in Rochdale town centre

Four teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of assault and possession of a bladed article following the stabbing of a 13-year-old boy in Rochdale on Saturday evening, the Daily Express reports.

Officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called to Riverside Walk at 6.09pm on 29 August after reports of a stabbing near the Riverside Shopping Centre. The victim remains in hospital receiving treatment.

Two other teenage boys, previously arrested on suspicion of the same offences, have been released on bail while enquiries continue. GMP confirmed the investigation is ongoing and efforts are being made to identify any further individuals involved.

Images shared on social media showed multiple police vehicles parked outside a Taco Bell restaurant on Riverside Walk. GMP has not confirmed whether the attack took place inside the restaurant.

Detective Superintendent Richard Hunt said the force was making progress on the investigation. "Violence on our streets will not be tolerated, and I want to reassure members of the public that we are relentlessly pursuing every lead to bring those responsible to justice," he said, adding an appeal for anyone with mobile phone footage, CCTV recordings or dashcam footage to come forward.

Chief Inspector Michael Barton, neighbourhoods lead for GMP's Rochdale district, said detectives were reviewing CCTV footage, gathering witness statements and analysing all available intelligence to "bring those responsible to justice and restore peace to our community."

GMP has been granted Section 60 powers allowing officers to stop and search individuals within Rochdale town centre until 3pm on Tuesday 1 September. The powers also permit officers to require people to remove face coverings, following reports of youths carrying weapons. The restrictions had originally been due to expire on 31 August.

Barton said on Saturday: "We want to assure the people of Rochdale that we are fully committed to locating the offenders involved in the disturbing events that unfolded in our town centre last night. We understand the fear and concern this shocking act of violence has caused among residents across our community."

Anyone with information is urged to contact GMP on 101, quoting log 2750 of 29/08/2026. Information can also be submitted via the LiveChat function on GMP's website, or reported anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Source: Daily Express