close
close

Police search warrant for Manchester extended; man arrested after attack and weapons seized

Following a brutal attack, police have introduced increased stop and search powers across large parts of Manchester, which will now last until Sunday. GMP said one man was arrested and weapons were seized.

After a man was attacked and seriously injured, a police cordon was set up this Saturday and investigations are ongoing.

It happened at around 4pm on Friday in Haymarket Street in the Ardwick area of ​​the city. As a result, GMP introduced search powers across a large part of the city – a zone that includes Hulme, Ardwick, Moss Side, Longsight and Gorton. The “Section 60” order gives officers the power to search any person in a specific area.

READ MORE: Woman was groped and sexually abused in ‘truly cruel crime’

The Manchester Evening News went to the scene and a witness told us he saw a car stop and a gang of “boys” jump out with what he called “big machetes.” He remembered the gang beating the victim – and told how he instinctively ran to help.

Now police have revealed that a man in his twenties has been arrested and a knife and knuckledusters seized. Police intervened overnight to stop a car in Moss Side and detained the man. He was questioned in custody today.

In a statement on Saturday, GMP said: “We have authorised the extension of powers to stop and search people in the Hulme, Ardwick, Moss Side, Longsight and Gorton areas of Manchester following an incident which occurred at around 4pm on July 5. Officers received reports that a man had been assaulted and seriously injured in Haymarket Street.

“Detectives’ enquiries are ongoing and inquiries are currently underway. Powers under section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 were brought into force last night and have now been extended to remain in force until 10.30am on Sunday.

“Since the introduction of these powers last night, officers from our transport unit have stopped a vehicle on Princess Parkway in Moss Side overnight and arrested a man in his twenties on suspicion of possession of offensive weapons – a knife and brass knuckles were also seized.”

Superintendent Phil Spurgeon said: “We do not underestimate the importance of implementing Section 60 powers. It is not a decision we take lightly but we know that introducing these powers is having the desired effect following an arrest in the Section 60 area following our Transport Unit stopping a vehicle.

“We are convinced that we must retain these powers to keep our communities safe. I would like to thank our local communities for their support since we introduced these powers and I appeal to them to continue to provide us with information that will enable us to take action.”

No further details were announced.