Weapons seized and 21 arrested in crackdown after three fatal stabbings

Police have arrested 21 people and seized multiple weapons as part of a crackdown after three fatal stabbings on three consecutive weekends.

GMP stepped up patrols and stop-and-search powers as they launched Operation Sycamore following the tragic deaths of three young males over just 16 days.

Kennie Carter, 16, died after being stabbed in the chest in Stretford on January 22.

A total of 13 teenagers - aged between 13 and 17 - have been arrested in connection with his death.

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All were arrested on suspicion of murder and have been bailed.

Alan Szelugowski, 17, was stabbed to death in Clowes Park in Salford on January 30.

Detectives have made four arrests - all teenage boys - in connection with his murder but there have been no charges as yet.

Dylan Keelan, 20, was fatally stabbed on Cheetham Hill Road in Dukinfield on February 4.

A 17-year-old boy has been charged with his murder - and investigating detectives have made a series of other arrests in connection with the inquiry.

All three tragedies have been fuelled by further knife attacks and injuries across the city region.

Since launching Operation Sycamore in light of the stabbings, officers say they have arrested 21 people for a range of serious offences.

Arrests have been made for attempted murder, rape, possession of a pointed and bladed article, possession of offensive weapons, public order offences and burglary, GMP said.

Stop and search powers have also been stepped up with 58 being carried out as part of the crackdown.

Nine people searched were found with cannabis and one person was found with a weapon.

Five other weapons - including a machete and a bat - were also seized.

Officers