Outrage at gang attack on children
A gang of masked thugs armed with a gun and machetes battered and robbed a group of school children.
One boy suffered a split nose and another was reportedly pistol-whipped in the incident in Blackley.
The same group of up to seven youths aged 16 to 18 are suspected of other crimes in the area.
Local MP Graham Stringer has described the spate as “very concerning” and has been promised a robust response by police.
At about 3pm on Tuesday a group of pupils making their way home from the Co-operative Academy on Plant Hill Road, Blackley, were assaulted on French Barn Lane.
The attackers, all wearing dark clothing and balaclavas, were six to seven Asian and white males in their mid to late teens.
One of the mob was carrying a machete and another a handgun.
Police swamped the area but a search failed to locate any offenders.
Five children aged 13-14 year were identified as victims and several needed to go to hospital.
One of those injured was a 14-yearold boy who was reportedly struck over the head with a gun.
His mother, who asked not to be named, said: “He is a bit shaken and has lost his confidence. His head was split open and it had to be glued. They took his iPhone and then hit him.
“His friend’s nose was split open, they hit him with the wooden end of a machete, another had his head cut, and another was struck on the cheek.
“The level of violence was disgusting and not necessary. They had already handed over their phones and did not put up any fight, but were still attacked.”
In another incident on Saturday, two boys were walking past the Charlestown Road entrance to Boggart Hole Clough Park when they were reportedly confronted by a group of youths armed with knives.
The boys were asked what their postcode was, and allowed to leave as their postcode was ‘safe.’
Following the incident, The Heys School in Prestwich issued a warning to parents and carers.
Graham Stringer MP said: “This is extremely concerning. I have spoken to a senior police officer about this and I have been assured that extra visible policing will be provided in the area.”
One parent told the MP: “We need police or PCSOs on foot during daylight hours.
“These attacks are happening in broad daylight, not of an evening. Our kids aren’t roaming the streets late at night, they are walking home from school.”
Superintendent Rebecca Boyce of GMP said: “A multi-agency meeting is taking place to ensure a coordinated response is in place with all involved, and ensure additional safeguarding is in place across the board.”