Family pays tribute to stab youth found dying in the road

Cody Turner, 17, was found by officers who were called to a disturbance in the Tonge Moor area of Bolton, Greater Manchester, around 11.30pm on Thursday night.

Four people were arrested at the scene and remain in police custody for questioning.

Cody's family paid tribute to him, saying he will be "loved and missed".

They said: "Cody was a clever, polite, well-loved lad who would do anything for anyone. He loved Liverpool Football Club, he was funny with a brilliant of humour.

"He will be loved and missed by all his family and friends."

His sister Lois said: "He was like my baby. We were very close, I will miss him winding me up."

It is believed Cody was fatally injured at a nearby house before collapsing in the street.

He was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital but doctors could not save his life.

A 17-year-old youth, also from Bolton, was arrested on suspicion of murder, while a 34-year-old woman and two men aged 18 were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Locals spoke of their shock at the killing as a police forensic team combed the crime scene while more officers conducted door-to-door inquiries as part of the murder probe launched by Greater Manchester Police.

One woman, who lives on the same road as the crime scene, said the teenager was "a lovely lad".

The woman, who did not want to be named, said: "My daughter knew Cody really well. They used to hang around together a lot.

"She has been sent home from school because she is so upset."

Shop supervisor Mark Latham, 33, said the Tonge Moor community was "very close".

He said: "It is really tight-knit. I live with my partner just up the road and I heard about it shortly after it happened. I was really shocked.

"When you kick one of us down, you get all of us, really."

The Bolton police divisional commander, Chief Supt Steve Hartley, said he wanted to reassure the community his officers were doing "everything they can".

He said: "I just want to give my absolute sympathies to the family in regard to this tragic event.

"It is a very isolated incident but that doesn't take away the pain and the anguish caused to the family in this case, it is just that it is rare in Bolton and we aim to keep it that way."