A man in his 40s was stabbed in Breightmet on Sunday evening in what police are treating as a targeted attack.

The attack happened on New Lane at the junction with Padbury Way, before the victim drove injured to nearby Dorchester Avenue.

Paramedics were called and the man was taken to hospital, suffering from non-life-threatening injuries which police said were consistent with a bladed article being used.

Detectives believe the attack to be targeted.

The two suspects are believed to be both white males between the ages of 18 to 21.

One suspect is described as wearing a blue jacket and grey tracksuit bottoms, the other suspect was wearing an all-grey Nike tracksuit.

Enquiries are ongoing at this time and officers from the Bolton district are now keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident and may have vital information to assist with the investigation in identifying the suspects..

Detective Inspector Tony Lunt of GMP Bolton’s CID said: “We understand that this will be a worrying incident for those in the surrounding area, but please be assured that officers are working tirelessly to identify the two suspects and continue to increase patrols as a result to offer visible reassurance.

“We urge anyone who may know the suspects or have any mobile or CCTV footage of the incident to come forward in confidence.”

If anyone has any information, they can contact officers directly on 0161 856 5757 quoting log 2832 of 9/10/2022.

Alternatively, details can be shared via the LiveChat portal on gmp.police.uk or anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A spokesman from North West Ambulance Service said: “We were called at 19:12 to an incident. The patient was taken to hospital with an arm injury.”

Residents reported up to a dozen police cars in the area - New Lane and Dorchester Avenue.

A resident says she saw as many as 12 police cars in the area and that someone had been taken to hospital.

A police helicopter was also scrambled.

A local shopkeeper said: “I was in the shop last night and I could hear the helicopter at about 7pm.”

Another shop employee described how they came down at around 10.15pm and the police had gone.

“Everyone is talking about it, but everyone has a different story,” they added.

“I heard that someone had their arm gashed open.”