A teenage boy was arrested on suspicion of possession of a knife earlier this week as part of a wide-ranging police operation.

The 15-year-old boy was stopped and search by police officers on Church Street West in Radcliffe on Thursday.

Officers say the boy was found to be carrying a knife, which was taken off him while the boy himself was arrested.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: "As a result of patrols a 15-year-old male was stop searched on Church Street West, Radcliffe, and found to be in possession of a knife.

“The youth was arrested, and the knife seized for destruction.”

They added: “Knife crime has fallen by 15 per cent over the last year across Greater Manchester and we are working hard to target those who continue carrying weapons.”

The patrols had been taking place as part of “Operation Venture”, which aims to crack down on crimes like these throughout the city region.

This comes amid wide ranging concerns about knife crime, not just in the Radcliffe area but all across Greater Manchester in recent months and years.

Anyone with any information or concerns can call police on 101.

Alternatively, witnesses can call independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.