The number of deaths and hospital admissions as a result of knife crime in Greater Manchester has seen a “significant reduction”, according to new figures.
The new figures have been released as the Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) – which was set up in 2009, and brings together Greater Manchester Police (GMP), National Probation Service, health and education professionals, youth justice and local authorities to address the underlying causes of violent crime and work together with communities to prevent it – has published its annual report this week.
The VRU says it report attempts to detail the impact of its work in reducing violence and building aspirations among young people living in the region.
New figures from the Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit's annual report show a significant reduction in hospital admissions due to assault by a sharp object, and homicides involving a knife.
— Greater Manchester Combined Authority (@greatermcr) May 11, 2023
According to the figures published in the report, there were fewer than 90 hospital admissions due to assault by a sharp object among victims aged under 25 in 2022 – which is down by 17% compared to 2021, and down by 26% compared to the year pre-COVID.
There has also been a “significant decrease” in the number of deaths too, as in 2022, they were down by 27% compared to 2021.
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So-called ‘knife enabled homicides’ were also down by 19% compared to 2021.
Greater Manchester’s Deputy Mayor Kate Green – who also serves as the region’s lead on policing, crime, criminal justice, and fire – says it’s “positive” to see some progress in the figures and to see knife-related attacks and deaths on the decline.
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Number of people killed or injured in knife attacks ‘significantly’ down in Greater Manchester / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“These reductions are the result of the hard work of the VRU, Greater Manchester Police, partner organisations, and our communities, who all work tirelessly to keep our young people safe and to educate them in the devastating consequences of serious violence,” Ms Green added.
“However, we know we are still not where we need to be.
“People living in Greater Manchester do continue to be victims of serious violence and knife crime, and tragically sometimes lose their lives.
“Through continued funding from the Home Office, and the implementation of the Serious Violence Duty, the VRU, GMP and all our partners, will continue to work with young people across Greater Manchester to lead them towards alternatives to violence, and ensure our communities are safe now and in the future.”
Six teenage boys arrested following stabbing of 13-year-old in Rochdale town centre
Emily Sergeant
Six teenage boys have been arrested following the stabbing of a 13-year-old in Rochdale town centre over the weekend.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that officers were called out to reports of a ‘serious assault’ near the Riverside Shopping Centre in central Rochdale on Saturday (29 August), and when they arrived on the scene, they found that a 13-year-old boy had been stabbed.
The young boy currently remains in hospital receiving treatment, while a police investigation into the incident is open and ongoing.
Two teenage boys were first arrested on suspicion of assault and possession of a bladed article on the same day the incident occurred (29 August), but have since been released on bail.
Officers then made four further arrests yesterday (31 August), again all teenage boys who were arrested on suspicion of assault and possession of a bladed article, with enquires ongoing.
A Section 60 and 60AA ‘stop and search’ authority was introduced in Rochdale town centre following the recent incidents in area and following reports of youths carrying weapons in the locality, and this has now been extended to 3pm today (Tuesday 1 September).
“This was a serious and sustained attack that could have had far more tragic consequences,” explained Detective Superintendent, Richard Hunt .”Our team of experienced detectives is working around the clock to understand exactly what happened, identify all those involved, and secure the strongest possible evidence.
“We will relentlessly pursue every lead available to us and will leave no stone unturned in bringing all those responsible before the courts.
“Community safety remains our absolute priority, and we are committed to ensuring those who seek to bring violence onto our streets are held fully accountable for their actions.”
Can you help? Anyone who witnessed the incident, was in the town centre at the time, or has any mobile phone, CCTV, or dashcam footage, is urged to come forward and speak to police on 101, quoting log 2750 of 29/08/2026, or using the LiveChat function on the GMP website.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GMP
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High School Musical at Lowry, Salford – a night spent reliving our childhood | Review
Amy Williams
What a night spent reliving our childhood.
Now, I don’t want to exaggerate or seem biased, considering this is one of my favourite film trilogies of all time, but this could be the best stage show I’ve seen in a long while.
We all know how High School Musical goes, right? Set at East High, we follow Troy and Gabriella (the star basketball player, and the geeky new girl) who meet over New Year, and then become ‘star-crossed lovers’ when back at school as they’re part of two different ‘cliques’.
The duo mess with the ‘Status Quo’ when they audition for the school musical. But will they stick to what they know? Or become stars of the stage? I’m sure you know the ending.
High School Musical is currently on stage at Lowry, Salford / Credit: Matt Crockett (Supplied)
From the costumes and the characters, to the memorable songs (there’s actually 52 songs in this production, including a mega mix at the end), they’ve kept right to the script of the films – and that’s exactly what we wanted to see.
Of course, the biggest throwback of them all is Kaycee Stroh – who originally featured as Martha Cox in the film trilogy – taking the role as Ms Darbus, and she was just as incredible as we expected her to be. And to see her do the iconic dance in the finale was unbelievable, 13-year-old Amy was screaming.
Also featuring Jason Donovan as Coach Bolton, Tobias Turley as Troy, Leonor Correia as Gabriella, Caitlin Tipping Sharpay, and Luke Bayer as Ryan, it was a proper impressive cast all round.
It’s a night to properly relive your mid-00s childhood / Credit: Matt Crockett (Supplied)
There was crowd interaction right from the off, as they taught the crowd a cheerleading routine to be included later in the show, plus for the finale, they had the lyrics on the big screen too so everyone could sing-along.
If we could go and see this show every single night, we would – it is absolutely brilliant.
Emily Sergeant -
16th May 2023 
