Boy, 13, stabbed in Rochdale town centre: six arrested, two bailed and stop-and-search powers extended
Live story. Six teenage boys have now been arrested after a 13-year-old was stabbed in Rochdale town centre on Saturday night. Two have been released on bail, four remain in custody, and Section 60 stop-and-search powers in the town centre run until 3pm on Tuesday. Updated as Greater Manchester Police confirm developments.
Latest, 08:30, Tuesday 1 September: six teenage boys have been arrested in connection with the stabbing of a 13-year-old boy in Rochdale town centre on Saturday night, 29 August. Two were arrested on Sunday and have since been released on bail. Four more were arrested on Monday and remain in custody. All six were held on suspicion of assault and possession of a bladed article, Greater Manchester Police said. The injured boy remains in hospital receiving treatment.
This is Rochdale Daily's single live story on the incident. It is updated in place, newest first, only when Greater Manchester Police or another primary source confirms a development. Earlier separate reports have been folded into this page; see the correction note at the foot.
What we know
The boy was stabbed during a serious assault in the town centre, near the Riverside shopping centre, on the evening of Saturday 29 August. Police described the incident as a serious assault alongside wider disorder in the town centre that night. He was taken to hospital, where he remains.
Monday 31 August: GMP confirmed four further arrests, all teenage boys, on suspicion of assault and possession of a bladed article. The two boys arrested on Sunday were released on bail while enquiries continue. Detective Superintendent Richard Hunt said the force was continuing to make progress on the investigation and that violence on the streets would not be tolerated.
Monday 31 August: the Section 60 order covering Rochdale town centre was extended until 3pm on Tuesday 1 September. Under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, officers can stop and search people in the designated area without needing reasonable suspicion.
Sunday 30 August: GMP announced two arrests and put a 24-hour Section 60 order in place for the town centre from 3pm. Chief Inspector Michael Barton, neighbourhoods lead for GMP's Rochdale district, said detectives were reviewing CCTV, gathering witness statements and analysing intelligence to identify everyone involved.
Saturday 29 August: a 13-year-old boy was stabbed in the town centre. GMP log 2750 of 29/08/2026.
What we do not know
Police have not released the boy's condition beyond confirming he remains in hospital, and have not said what led to the assault. No one has been charged. Rochdale Daily will not name anyone arrested and will not publish speculation about motive or identity while the investigation is live.
How to help the investigation
Anyone who witnessed the incident, was in Rochdale town centre on Saturday evening, or has mobile phone, CCTV or dashcam footage is asked to contact GMP on 101, quoting log 2750 of 29/08/2026, or via the LiveChat function at gmp.police.uk. Information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Story first published 30 August 2026 as "Two arrested following stabbing incident in Rochdale"; consolidated into this live page on 1 September 2026.
Sources
Corrections and clarifications
This article was amended on 1 September 2026. Rochdale Daily earlier published three separate automated reports on this incident (30, 31 August and 1 September) with different arrest figures. One headline, 'Four arrests made', omitted that these were four further arrests; the total is six. Those reports have been withdrawn and this single live story replaces them.
All significant corrections are recorded in our public corrections log. Spotted an error? See how to request a correction.
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This report is based on statements issued by Greater Manchester Police and reported by local news outlets. All those arrested are under investigation and have not been charged. Nothing in this report should be taken as an indication of guilt. It will be updated as verified information becomes available.
Right to reply: Corrections or additional information can be sent to news@rochdaledaily.co.uk.
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