Police issue statement after boy stabbed in Next at Arndale Centre

29.01.2022 - 20:09 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Police have confirmed an investigation is underway after a 16-year-old boy was knifed during a 'disturbance' between two groups of teenagers at Manchester's Arndale Centre.

Cops were called to the shopping centre at around 7.20pm on Friday (January 28).

Groups of teenagers were seen fighting at the entrance to the Next store.

Footage seen by the Manchester Evening News shows people shouting and screaming before running from the store.

READ MORE: Dad of boy, 16, stabbed in chest at Arndale says he was set upon by gang of strangers before 'all hell broke loose'

A boy, 16, was taken to hospital after being stabbed.

His injuries were 'neither life-changing nor threatening', Greater Manchester Police said.

A couple of other teenagers suffered minor injuries and were taken to hospital, but have since been discharged.

"The offending group left the scene prior to police arrival," the force said in a statement.

No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.

Speaking to the M.E.N, the victim's father said his son was set upon by a gang of strangers and was 'lucky to be alive'.

He said his son was inside the Arndale with his friends when he was approached by a 'random' girl at about 7pm.

"They were just going for a bite to eat and to do shop shopping," he said.

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"A girl asked for directions to a shop and he pointed it out. She went and brought all these lads over. There were about 20 of them.

"They asked if he was being cheeky and he said he had not done anything wrong. It all escalated from there.

"One of them kicked him in the neck then all hell broke