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Image of group police want to locate after Northern Quarter stabbing released

GMP believes they may have witnessed what happened.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 21st August 2023

Detectives investigating a stabbing in Manchester city centre last week that left two men with serious injuries have released an image of a group of people they’re keen to track down.

It comes after a large police response was spotted by passers-by close to the Northern Quarter at around 6:30pm last Wednesday (16 August), and after Greater Manchester Police (GMP) subsequently confirmed that officers were responding to reports of two men having ben stabbed on Dale Street.

The victims – confirmed to be a 20-year-old man and a 30-year-old man – were taken to hospital for treatment of “serious” and “potentially life-threatening injuries” shortly after.

One man remains in a critical condition in hospital for life-threatening injuries following the “serious incident” – which GMP says is being treated as isolated – while the other man, who also sustained serious injuries, has now been released from hospital.

With an investigation now currently underway and ongoing, detectives have released an image of a group of people the want to speak to.

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The image released by GMP shows a number of people reportedly walking on the canal path close to Dale Street, and detectives therefore believe may have witnessed the serious incident that took place nearby.

It comes after three men, all between the ages of 17 and 30, were initially arrested on suspicion of assault following the attack.

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Two have been released with no charge, GMP has confirmed, while the third – a 21-year-old man – has been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Dale Street in Manchester city centre, where the incident took place / Credit: Google Maps

“We are looking to identify the people in this photograph, particularly the group of three and the two people on the bench next to them,” explained Detective Chief Inspector David Moores, of GMP’s Serious Crime Division of the Major Incident Team, as the image was released.

“We believe that they must have seen something and we are keen to speak to them.”

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Anyone with any information is asked to report it by calling 101 quoting log number 3244 of 16/8/2023, or doing so via the LiveChat on GMP’s website here.

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Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Featured Image – GMP