Mother and son attacked with metal bar by the side of the canal between Denton and Hyde

Police are appealing for information after a woman was attacked whilst walking by the canal with her son.

It happened yesterday [Tuesday 11 August] just after 5pm when a 29-year-old woman and her six-year-old son had just finished a picnic on a field near to the canal on the Denton and Hyde border.

They were set upon by a man, believed to be aged approximately 18 or 19, with a metal bar.

He repeatedly hit the pair with the bar, before the son managed to escape down the canal tow path. The offender was last seen fleeing into a field in the direction of the River Tame.

He is described as a white man, 18/19 years old and between 5’8-5’9 inches tall. His build is described as skinny. He had light coloured hair and was clean shaven. He was wearing no top but had black shorts on covering to just above the knee. He had a Black Nike rucksack and also a drawstring type bag.

Both the woman and her son went to hospital and received treatment but have since been discharged. No arrests have yet been made.

Detective Sergeant Wayne Marshall, of GMP’s Tameside division, said: “This is a very worrying attack by a random man in pure daylight on a mother and son who were enjoying themselves in the nice weather by the canal and I am committed that they get justice.

“For someone to demonstrate such levels of brutality and audacity in this way is shocking and I am determined to ensure that we catch whoever is responsible for this attack and stop them from offending again.

“No one should be subjected to such a disgraceful and unprovoked incident and I am committed to prevent any other members of the public from becoming further victims of this very violent man.”

“This would’ve been a busy time of day and it is vital that any witnesses of this incident come forward with any information they have; even if you just recognise the description of the offender then please get in touch and assist our enquiries.”

Anyone with any information should call police on 0161 856 9262 quoting incident number 2288 of 11/08/2020. Details can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.