The urgent appeal has been issued after the incident in question – which happened at around 4pm on Wednesday (26 July) – where police became aware of a moped driving erratically, and subsequently attempted to stop the vehicle, before it eventually made off.
Not long after this, the moped was then found by police near the junction of Wood Road and Upper Chorlton Road in South Manchester, where it had been left after having been involved in a road traffic collision.
#NEWS | Greater Manchester Police have arrested a 26-year-old man after two police officers were assaulted with a knife following a police pursuit on Wood Road in Old Trafford this evening (Wednesday 26 July 2023).
— Stretford Police (GMP) (@GMPstretford) July 26, 2023
While the two officers were responding to this incident, another man – who GMP has revealed is, at this time, being treated as “possibly unconnected to collision” – approached the officers, and is reported to have then proceeded to “assault” the two officers with a knife.
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A 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a serious assault of both officers, GMP confirmed in a statement issued yesterday.
He remains in police custody for questioning.
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The scene where two police officers were assaulted with a knife / Credit: Google Maps
Following the distressing incident, detectives are now appealing for witnesses who were in the vicinity of Wood Road, as well as to anyone who may have any CCTV, doorbell, or dashcam footage, to come forward and aid with ongoing investigations.
Detective Inspector Gary Kelly, who is leading the investigation, started out his appeal by reassuring the public that police believe this is an isolated incident, and they are “confident” there is no wider risk to the community.
#APPEAL | Police are appealing for witnesses following an attack on two Greater Manchester Police officers with a knife in Old Trafford.
This relates to an incident that occurred on Wood Road on Wednesday 26 July 2023.
— Stretford Police (GMP) (@GMPstretford) July 27, 2023
He continued: “The officers involved in this unprovoked attack have received injuries, which are thankfully not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing.
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“[Now that] they have been treated by healthcare professionals, and are being supported by specialist officers, we are trying to establish a timeline of events of the suspects movements, and we are exploring all lines of enquiry to to understand why this incident happened.”
GMP is asking that any witnesses, or anyone with any footage of the incident, get in touch by calling either 0161 856 6063, via 101.
You can also make reports to the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GMP (via Facebook)
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Manchester’s libraries to become ‘warm spaces’ with free hot drinks and WiFi this winter
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s libraries are set to become ‘warm welcome spaces’ offering free hot drinks and internet access to those in need again this winter.
After millions of local residents visited the ‘stigma-free safe spaces’ to escape and take refuge from the cold each year since they were first introduced in 2022, Manchester City Council has decided to reintroduce its popular ‘Warm Welcome Spaces’ scheme again this year during the chillier months.
All 22 of Manchester‘s public libraries are, once again, taking part in the scheme this time around.
Designed to ‘provide support to people who need it’ over some of the most challenging months of the year when temperatures drop, the Council’s scheme is offering a range of different services – and they’re all for free of charge.
Free hot drinks, WiFi and internet access, data SIM cards, and newspapers are just some of the things people can make the most of inside these ‘warm spaces’, as well as get access to information, advice, and extra signposting to other support services they made need in the city.
Manchester’s libraries will become ‘warm spaces’ with free hot drinks and WiFi again this winter / Credit: Haydon Waldeck | koolshooters (Pexels)
There will be age-friendly spaces to connect with others, story times once a week at 11am for children under five, and even weekly digital drop-ins too.
Manchester Central Library, Miles Platting Community Library, Hulme High Street Library, Beswick Library, Longsight Library, and Abraham Moss Library are just some of the libraries taking part this winter.
All 22 libraries will be free to enter, and the Council says people can stay in them ‘for as long as you like’.
“For many years, the Council has been a proud supporter of the Warm Welcome Spaces initiative,” explained Councillor Thomas Robinson, who is the Executive Member for Healthy Manchester and Adult Social Care at Manchester City Council.
“In Manchester we have been all too aware of the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and the hardships people have suffered as a result.
“It’s not an exaggeration to say this work has the potential to be lifesaving. The simple act of offering a person a safe place where they can interact with other Mancunians, to not feel alone or get the help they need, can have a lasting and meaningful impact.”
Find your local free ‘Warm Welcome Space’ in Manchester here.
Featured Image – RawPixel
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University fees set to increase in line with inflation but Government promises ‘better outcomes’ for students
Emily Sergeant
University tuition fees are set to increase in line with forecasted inflation for the next two academic years, the Government has announced.
Last year was the first year, since 2017, that tuition fees were increased in line with inflation, and now that the Office for Students is forecasting that 43% of institutions will be in deficit without further action to ‘shore up’ their finances, the Government has announced in its ‘landmark’ Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper – published this week – that fees will need to rise again.
To support universities in continuing to deliver world-class teaching and research, tuition fees will rise in line with forecast inflation for the next two academic years.
According to the Department for Education, legislation will then be brought forward, when parliamentary time allows, to enable automatic increases to fee caps in future years in line with inflation – but this will only be institutions that meet tough new quality thresholds set by the Office for Students.
Where standards are deemed to ‘fall short’, the Office for Students will then act quickly to stop the expansion of low-quality courses and will aim to hold providers to account.
University fees are set to increase in line with inflation for the next two years / Credit: PickPik
Universities that underperform could face financial and regulatory consequences, the Government has confirmed, as a way of ensuring public money is spent only on courses that deliver for students and the economy overall.
“Young people from all backgrounds feel they have been let down by a system that talks about opportunity but too often fails to deliver it,” commented Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, as the White Paper was published this week.
“Universities charge significant fees for their courses, but if they are going to charge the maximum, it is right that they deliver the world-class education students expect.
“These reforms will ensure value for money, higher standards across our universities and colleges and a renewed focus on the skills our economy needs.”
The Government has also said it will also work with universities and local authorities to ensure they offer ‘adequate accommodation’ for their students.
It will also support efforts to drive down the cost of living going forward.
Emily Sergeant -
28th July 2023 
