City centre knife horror as man and woman stabbed and forensics scour scene

A man and a woman were stabbed in a violent attack near Manchester city centre. Police were called to the horror knife incident in Castlefield in the early hours of Sunday morning (August 4).

Police and paramedics were called to the incident on Slate Wharf at around 12.30am. The area, including a footbridge, were taped off throughout the night.

The two victims, whose ages haven't been confirmed by police, were rushed to the scene for treatment. Their injuries are not described as life-threatening.

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Greater Manchester Police said the knife attack is 'totally unlinked' to the protests in the city centre on Saturday (August 3). Pictures taken from the scene showed a large emergency services presence including police, paramedics and forensics.

An investigation has been launched, with officers conducting CCTV enquiries. A desperate appeal for witnesses has also been issued by police.

A cordon remained in place at the scene, near the picturesque Bridgewater Canal basin and The Wharf pub, throughout the morning. Specialist forensic crime scene investigation officers wearing suits were seen working inside the cordon.

A staff member of a bar in the area said the place was ‘swamped’ with police on Sunday morning. He said: “They closed the bridge and some people couldn’t get home that way. I hope whoever got hurt is okay.”

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said: "Detectives are investigating the stabbing of a man and woman on Slate Wharf, Castlefield at 12.30am this morning (Sunday 4 August 2024).

"Both victims were taken to hospital for treatment, and their injuries are not thought to be