Children attacked outside school
MAN IS ARRESTED AFTER 10 YOUNGSTERS ASSAULTED IN ‘ISOLATED INCIDENT’
A man has been arrested after 10 children were attacked outside a Rochdale school in Rochdale.
One victim, a 12-year-old boy, was repeatedly punched in the face as he cycled to school.
Another, a 14-year-old boy, was taken to hospital with minor injuries following the attacks near Wardle Academy on Friday morning.
At least two girls are thought to be among the victims, who are aged 11-16.
Police were called to the school on Birch Road at 8.35am. A 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault.
Police say the attacks are being treated as ‘an isolated and contained incident’ and are ‘not believed to be hate or terror-related’.
The dad of the 12-year-old boy told the Manchester Evening News his son was attacked in a park on Ashbrook Hey Lane just before 8.25am.
He said: “Two other pupils had just been assaulted. The man has started shouting at him and stumbled towards him. He’s then punched him round the face and head.”
The dad said the attacker accused him of picking on a child he was with, but said his son barely knew the child.
His son rang him after the attack and the dad arranged to meet him at school.
The dad said: “While I was in reception other kids with blood on their faces started turning up.
“They’ve been attacked to varying degrees but at least two I know had broken noses. I believe there’s a couple of girls he has hit as well.”
The dad said“We’ve taken him to hospital to have him checked and he’s okay. He’s been cleaned up. They’re treating it as a minor head injury.
“He’s absolutely devastated. We are in contact with the school about counselling. He’s very, very shaken up. He was minding his own business going to school and the next thing he’s got a grown man punching him in the face.
The dad also praised the response from both the school and police.
Chief Insp Nicola De Maine, of GMP’s Rochdale District, said: “We have a man in custody and a full investigation has been launched.
“This is currently being treated as an isolated and contained incident, it is not believed to be hate or terror related.
“I can appreciate this was a traumatic ordeal and we are working closely with our partners to ensure everyone has the support they need at this time.”
“I would like to appeal to any witnesses, particularly anyone with footage of what happened, to get in touch.”
Wardle Academy headteacher Brendan Hesketh said: “This morning Wardle experienced an incident which required the support of the police.
“The incident occurred in the Wardle village but did involve some students on their way to the academy. The academy is very grateful for the effective way in which the police dealt with the situation.”
Anyone with information can contact police on 0161 856 8420 quoting reference 624 of 11/12/2020, or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.