Investigation launched into video of boys playing with suspected knife in Wigan

Scholes neighbourhood policing team was working to identify the youngsters, who were seen walking around the Vauxhall Road area with what was reported to be a butterly knife.

They appealed on social media for the parents of the two boys seen in the Facebook video to contact them so they could educate the children about knife crime.

And on Thursday afternoon, the police reported they had been able to speak to them.

On Greater Manchester Police's Wigan West Facebook page, a spokesman said: "We have quickly identified the two youngsters involved and spoken to them directly about this incident.

"Thankfully we can report that the item they were in possession of was not a bladed weapon, whilst understandably it was perceived to be so

"It was in fact a replica butterfly knife trainer similar to the one pictured. The item was not a threat to either themselves or the wider public and not an offence to have simple possession of.

"Both youngsters were advised about the alarm they had caused and we are pleased that their respective parents were fully cooperative and supportive to our concerns. The matter has now been closed without further action."

The police also said they were aware of reports of anti-social behaviour in Scholes, particularly on Vauxhall Road and Cambridge Way, and were patrolling those areas as much as possible.

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