Police investigate alleged hate crime after man and boy attacked in Rochdale

One of the victim's injuries

Police are investigating an alleged hate crime after a man and a teenage boy were attacked in Rochdale.

A 21-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy were walking with friends along the footpath leading towards the canal tow path close to Sandbrook Retail Park, Edinburgh Way, when they were approached from behind by three men at around 8.15pm on Saturday 28 January.

The men ran at them causing a number of the group to run off while the two victims continued to walk.

Both were attacked and punched in the face. The 21-year-old man was hit with a bottle before he was repeatedly kicked and punched to the head and body as he lay on the ground.

The men ran off in the direction of Deeplish.

One man is described as being Asian, in his mid 20s, around 5ft 10in tall and had black hair. We wore a long white coat with two pockets over the knees.

The second man is described as being Asian and of stocky build. He wore a black jacket with bright orange stitching on the shoulders and arms.

The third man is described as being Asian.

The police are treating this as a hate crime as the victim perceives it to be.

There were no racist or other comments directed at either victim.

Detective Constable Ben Harris from Rochdale CID said: “This was a completely unprovoked and relentless attack that has left both victims shocked by their ordeal. The 21-year-old man needed hospital treatment for his injuries and the 16-year-old boy was left with visible facial injuries.

“I can understand why this has caused concern within the community however, we cannot speculate why they were attacked and I do not want anyone to presume this has happened for a specific reason.

“I would urge anyone who was in the area at the time of the attack or may have seen the offenders running in the direction of Deeplish, near to the tow path, to contact police.”

Anyone with information should phone police on 0161 856 8716 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.