Police are appealing for witnesses after a stabbing in Oldham.

At around 12.15pm on Friday, March 1 a boy aged 17 was stabbed on Oldham Road in Failsworth.

The stabbing occurred close to the Natwest Bank after the victim was involved in a verbal altercation with five other males, who then fled the scene.

The boy sustained a cut beneath his chin. He was helped at the scene by bystanders before being treated at hospital. He has since been released.

Officers attended and found a small knife nearby on Wesley Street and arrested five boys aged 15, 16, 16, 16 and 17 on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent and violent disorder.

They have all been bailed pending further enquiries.

Detective Constable Ian Hope said: “This was a nasty assault that left a young man needing hospital treatment.

“We’re thankful that his injuries weren’t more severe and that he’s recovered well, but this could have been a different story.

“The incident occurred beside a busy road at a time when there a number of witnesses.

“We have made five arrests, but our enquiries don’t stop here.

“We’re requesting that anyone who saw the attack, has information that can assist us, or has any dashcam footage, to get in touch immediately.”

Anyone with any information about the assault should contact police on 0161 856 9078 quoting incident number 811 of 01/03/2019.

Information can be passed on anonymously by calling the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.