A TEENAGER is in a stable condition in hospital after a stabbing in Farnworth.

The 16-year-old boy was taken to hospital with serious injuries following the incident in Harrowby Street at 11.50pm on Friday.

Police said they were working to piece together the circumstances of the incident. The teenager in hospital has not been named.

A 54-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of section 18 assault, was released under investigation on Saturday evening, police added.

His wife said people had been quick to judge him on social media.

She said: “He’s had loads of abuse on social media. People are too quick to judge. It’s awful.”

Last month Greater Manchester Police launched a campaign to tackle knife crime following the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Yousef Makki in Altrincham.

The ‘open your eyes’ campaign saw officers post images of urban landscapes and parks in a bid to keep people watching for hidden knives.

Farnworth councillor Jean Gillies said the wider community had been suffering with the stresses that came with anti-social behaviour.

Cllr Gillies added that she had passed video evidence to police of a group of youths causing trouble on Harper Green playing fields.

She said: “People have had enough, a lot of old people live around there and they’re terrified of coming out of their houses.

“People’s lives shouldn’t have to be hampered.”

Enquiries into the stabbing incident are ongoing. Anyone with information should contact police on 101.