Man, 18, held under Mental Health Act after boy, 10, stabbed

A teenager has been detained under the Mental Health Act after a 10-year-old boy was stabbed inside a house in Bolton.

Police were called to a street in Great Lever on Saturday afternoon after reports a child had been attacked inside a house.

The boy was rushed to Manchester Children's Hospital, but his injuries were not serious and he has since been discharged.

Greater Manchester Police said an 18-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of section 18 assault, was assessed by specialist medical staff and detained under the Mental Health Act.

Detective Inspector Nathan Percival said: 'I am so pleased to hear that the boy is doing well and has been discharged from hospital. We wish him all the best for a full and speedy recovery.

Police (pictured at the scene) were called to a street in Great Lever on Saturday afternoon after reports a child had been attacked inside a house

The boy was rushed to Manchester Children's Hospital, but his injuries were not serious and he has since been discharged

'This is a shocking incident which has caused distress and upset both to the victim and his family as well as within the wider community.

'I would like to reassure the public that we are continuing to treat this investigation with the upmost seriousness.'

Officers were called to a street in Bolton at around 1.20pm on Saturday to reports that child had been attacked.

The force confirmed at the time an 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of section 18 assault.

Police said on Saturday they believed the attack to be an isolated incident with 'no wider threat' to the public.

Officers believe this is an isolated incident with 'no wider threat' to the public.

The road surrounding the scene was shut for several hours on Saturday while investigation work was carried out.

Greater Manchester Police said an 18-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of section 18 assault, was assessed by specialist medical staff and detained under the Mental Health Act

Forensic officers enter a house on Bridgeman Street in Bolton, on Saturday afternoon after a 10-year-old boy was stabbed

Pictured: The scene on Bridgeman Street, Great Lever, where a child was stabbed inside a house

Detective Superintendent Joanne Rawlinson said: 'No child should ever be the victim of such a distressing incident and my thoughts are with this young boy and his family as he receives medical treatment in hospital.

'We are pleased to hear the news that the boy is doing well and that he may be discharged later today. We hope that he makes a full and quick recovery.

'I appreciate that such news is likely to cause upset and shock within the local community, as well as the wider public, but I can assure you that we are doing absolutely everything we can to piece together the circumstances of this incident.

'In a recent development, specially trained officers have made an arrest of an 18-year-old man who will be questioned by detectives in the coming hours.

'We do believe this to be an isolated incident and at the moment there are several officers in the area conducting enquiries.

'If members of the local community have any concerns or issues, we would urge them to speak with these officers who are there to help and provide support to anyone who may need it.'

Anyone with information should contact police on 101, quoting incident number 1475 of 11/07/20, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.