Key Points
- A man named Stephen Nolan, a resident of Tonge Moor Road in Bolton, has been charged with grievous bodily harm and attempted section 18 assault following a reported stabbing incident on Tonge Moor Road.
- The incident occurred around 10:30am on Tuesday, 21 April 2026, in broad daylight on a busy street in Bolton, Greater Manchester.
- Two men were found with stab wounds and treated by medical professionals; their injuries are not life-threatening or life-altering.
- Greater Manchester Police (GMP) arrested a man in his 50s on suspicion of assault shortly after the event; he was detained for questioning.
- Stephen Nolan appeared at Wigan and Leigh Magistrates' Court on Thursday, 23 April 2026.
- Police believe the attack involved multiple stabbings, potentially linked to two separate incidents on Tonge Moor Road, including one inside The Deli café, where CCTV captured the assault.
- A customer at The Deli fought back against the attacker, helping to restrain him.
- The victims did not know the attacker; police are probing possible mental health links.
- GMP is appealing for witnesses, CCTV, dashcam, or doorbell footage from around 10:30 am on 21 April 2026, quoting log 932 of 21/04/26.
- Contact details provided: GMP via 101 or Live Chat at gmp.police.uk, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
- Police conducted door-to-door inquiries; vehicles flooded the area post-incident.
- Viral CCTV footage shows the attacker lunging at a diner in the café; the suspect wore a gilet, sweatshirt, and T-shirt.
- Earlier reports from Yahoo News UK first noted the arrest of a man following discovery of two individuals with knife injuries.
Bolton (Bolton Today) April 25, 2026 - A man has appeared in court after being charged in connection with a reported stabbing on Tonge Moor Road earlier this week, as confirmed by multiple sources covering the incident.
What Happened on Tonge Moor Road?
The stabbing incident unfolded around 10:30am on Tuesday, 21 April 2026, when Greater Manchester Police received reports of a stabbing on Tonge Moor Road in Bolton. Emergency services arrived swiftly to find two injured men, who were treated on scene for stab wounds by medical professionals. As reported by Emily Sergeant of The Manc,
"GMP explained that, at around 10:30 am on Tuesday morning (21 April), officers were called to reports of a stabbing on Tonge Moor Road in Bolton, and once emergency services arrived on the scene, they found two injured men – who were treated by medical professionals for stab wounds."
Police responded immediately, arresting a man in his 50s on suspicion of assault; he remained in custody for questioning as enquiries progressed. Greater Manchester Police's initial statement, quoted in Bolton Today, read:
"At approximately 10:30 AM, we received reports of a stabbing on Tonge Moor Road, Bolton. Emergency services arrived, and two men were treated by medical personnel for stab wounds. A man in his 50s has been arrested on suspicion of assault and is currently in custody for questioning. Investigations are ongoing."
Who Is the Man in Court?
The suspect has been publicly named as Stephen Nolan, a resident of Tonge Moor Road where the incident occurred. According to Emily Sergeant of The Manc,
"Following the initial statement provided by police, the man has now been publicly named as Stephen Nolan... and he has been charged with grievous bodily harm, and an attempted section 18 assault."
Nolan, described across reports as being in his 50s, appeared at Wigan and Leigh Magistrates' Court on Thursday, 23 April 2026.
The Bolton News reported on his court appearance via their X (formerly Twitter) account: "Man appears in court after police called to reports of 'stabbing'." He remains part of an ongoing investigation progressing at speed.
Was There a Stabbing Inside a Café?
CCTV footage has gone viral showing a shocking assault inside The Deli café on Tonge Moor Road. As detailed by Bolton Today, the attacker entered the café and stabbed a diner in broad daylight; the victim fought back, helping to restrain the assailant. The Mirror reported:
"CCTV footage captured the shocking moment a customer was stabbed at The Deli on Tonge Moor Road in Bolton... a man in his 50s was arrested on suspicion of assault."
Times of India noted:
"A man has been arrested after a shocking stabbing incident inside The Deli cafe in Bolton, Greater Manchester, where a customer fought back against an attacker in front of staff and diners. The incident took place at around 10.30 am on April 21, when a man entered The Deli cafe on Tonge Moor Road and approached a diner before launching a sudden knife attack. Footage from inside The Deli cafe shows the attacker approaching a seated customer before appearing to stab him in the chest."
The Online Citizen added:
"A man has been arrested after a stabbing inside a café in Bolton, where a diner fought back and helped restrain the attacker."
Are the Incidents Linked?
Reports indicate the café stabbing and an earlier knife incident on Tonge Moor Road are interconnected. The Mirror stated:
"Earlier in the day, it is believed that the same man left a nearby residence with a knife, leading to another stabbing incident on Tonge Moor Road. The injuries sustained by that victim were described as minor. Shortly thereafter, the assailant entered The Deli and assaulted the customer shown in the footage."
Bolton Today reported:
"Greater Manchester Police treated the cafe stabbing and prior incident as 'interconnected,' probing mental health links, according to Wednesday's update."
Yahoo News UK, cited in Bolton Today, first reported:
"A man has been taken into custody following the discovery of two individuals with knife injuries in Bolton earlier today (April 21). Officers responded to reports of a stabbing on Tonge Moor Road around 10:30 a.m."
Police are investigating potential mental health issues as a factor.
How Severe Were the Victims' Injuries?
Neither victim's injuries are considered life-threatening or life-altering. Emily Sergeant of The Manc noted the two men were treated for stab wounds but provided no further details on severity. The Mirror added:
"Fortunately, the injuries inflicted on this individual [café victim] are not considered life-altering or life-threatening. He was reportedly dressed in a gilet, sweatshirt, and T-shirt, which may have mitigated the severity of his wounds."
The first victim sustained minor injuries.
Neither victim knew the attacker, emphasising the random nature of the attacks.
What Does the CCTV Footage Show?
Viral CCTV from The Deli captures the attacker, dressed in a gilet, sweatshirt, and T-shirt, lunging at a random customer with a knife. Instagram reel coverage described:
"Man arrested after Bolton café stabbing... and stabbed a diner in broad daylight. Video: X/Unlimited L's Camera 01."
The footage shows the diner fighting back effectively.
Police vehicles flooded Tonge Moor Road for door-to-door inquiries after the 10:30 am alert.
What Are Police Asking the Public?
With the investigation ongoing, GMP continues to appeal for information. Emily Sergeant of The Manc reported:
"GMP are continuing to appeal to the public for information, witnesses, or any CCTV, dashcam, or doorbell footage from around the time of the incident (10:30am). Anyone with information can contact police via 101 or our Live Chat at gmp. police.uk, quoting log 932 of 21/04/26. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111."
A Facebook post from The Manc echoed:
"Police immediately responded to the incident, and a man in his 50s was subsequently arrested on suspicion of assault. Can you help?"
Who Covered the Story First?
Yahoo News UK broke initial arrest news, as cited in Bolton Today: "A man has been taken into custody following the discovery of two individuals with knife injuries in Bolton earlier today (April 21)." The Bolton News followed with court updates on 25 April 2026. Emily Sergeant of The Manc provided detailed charging information on 24 April 2026.