A Jewish teenager is being treated in hospital after he was attacked by three men in Manchester in what is believed to be an antisemitic hate crime.

The 17-year-old boy, who has not been named, was one of four people who were assaulted by three men on Saturday night. The other victims were aged 20, 18 and 18.

The victims were set upon at Bowker Vale Metrolink station, close to Heaton Park, in the heart of north Manchester's Jewish community.

Police have confirmed that the attack is being treated as a hate crime.

The teenager, who is in hospital with a suspected bleed to the brain, was knocked unconscious.

Jewish security group the Community Security Trust have described the incident as a “serious antisemitic assault” and urged anyone with information to report it to the police.

Mark Gardner, CST's director of communications, said: “This appears to be a particularly serious and worrying antisemitic assault. We have offered support to the victims’ families and our thoughts and sympathies are with them at this time. CST has also been in close contact with Greater Manchester Police who are conducting a full investigation and we ask that any witnesses come forward.”

Board of Deputies vice-president Marie van der Zyl said: “We were horrified to hear of the horrific antisemitic attack on four young men on a tram in Manchester.

"This was a brutal, unprovoked and cowardly assault and we hope and expect that the culprits will feel the full force of the law. We send our thoughts and prayers to those injured and to their families.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.