Second Hate Attack in Greater Manchester

Police are investigating a second hate crime attack in Greater Manchester in just one week.

A man and a teenager were set upon by a gang on the canal path near to Sandbrook Retail Park on Saturday night

It follows reports of a similar incident in Hyde, were trainee chef Dan Stringer was repeatedly kicked and punched by a mob of up to eight people after he was chased down a street.

That same night in an unconnected assault in Rochdale, the 16-year-old and 21-year-old victims were walking with friends along the footpath leading towards the canal tow path close to Sandbrook Retail Park, Edinburgh Way when three men came up behind them.

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

Both were then 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.

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.