Local residents have expressed their shock and sadness after the life of yet another young man was claimed by knife crime following a double stabbing in Ancoats.
A murder investigation has been launched after a man in his 20s was fatally attacked during an incident on Pollard Street, close to Manchester city centre, at around 6.30pm last night (Wednesday 20 April). Another man, also aged in his 20s, was left with leg injuries after being stabbed.
A 23-year-old man has since been arrested on suspicion of murder after arriving at hospital, police confirmed. He is currently in police custody and is waiting to be quizzed by detectives.
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This morning (Thursday) a large police cordon was still in place on nearby Carruthers Street - which was taped off all night. A white screen and blue tent could be seen inside the scene which was being guarded by police officers. Two forensic officers could also be seen carrying out investigations inside the cordon, with their enquiries appearing to focus on a stretch of pavement near to the tent.
Members of the community came to pay their respect to the young man who lost his life, with one woman laying floral tributes next to the blue police tape. Others stopped by for a minute or so to reflect on the tragedy of what had occurred last night.
One woman, who lives several yards away from the scene, told the M.E.N: "We didn't see anything happen. We just saw an ambulance and a white car at about 7pm. Then an hour later there was a white tent. We only moved here a week ago but I thought it felt pretty safe around here."
Another resident said: "We just heard the police helicopter but assumed it was something to do with the Manchester City game so didn't think anything of it. It's pretty quiet around here usually. There's not been anything like a stabbing around here in a long time."
A man who lives close by said: "I read about it this morning but didn't see anything happen. We just saw the helicopter but the game was on and we are in Manchester city centre so that's not unusual. It's actually a really nice area.
"Even though there is a contrast between the gentrified areas and the older areas everyone is really nice and there are never any issues. It's quite shocking really."
Local residents Stephen Graham and Darren Roberts run Another Life Saved - a group helping defeat knife crime in the area. Speaking to the Manchester Evening News , they said they were deeply saddened to hear that another young life had been lost due to knife crime.
Stephen said: "People text me about it last night. We always get parents ringing us when something like this happens. It's very sad. It's the parents who really suffer when this kind of thing happens. We are trying our best to keep the peace."
Detective Chief Inspector Wes Knights, of GMP's Major Incident Team, said: "As our investigation progresses, thoughts remain with the loved ones of the man who's sadly died. Specially trained officers are being deployed to support them. Overnight, our investigation has progressed and we are building a detailed picture of the events leading up to this incident.
"We can now reassure members of the public that we do not believe there is any threat to the wider community, that being said, extra officers will remain in the area in the coming days.
"As always, I would like to use this opportunity to appeal to anyone with information, particularly dash cam footage from Ancoats between 6.15pm and 6.35pm last night, to share it with us - this can also be done anonymously via Crimestoppers."
Anyone with information should contact police via 0161 856 5413 quoting 2565 20/04/22. Information can be shared anonymously via the independent charity - Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
