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.
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.
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)
News
Hundreds of staff to strike at four Greater Manchester hospitals next week
Emily Sergeant
Hundreds of staff at four of Greater Manchester’s hospitals are set to strike next week.
More than 350 Northern Care Alliance Foundation Trust (NCA) employees – including nurses, clinical support workers and housekeepers – are walking out for three days next week after union UNISON says an offer to ‘resolve’ a dispute was withdrawn before discussions could take place.
According to the union, the dispute centres on the NCA’s use of an outside agency called NHS Professionals (NHSP) to manage overtime.
When covering staff shortages, workers are entitled to time-and-a-half pay – however in some cases, staff earn less than they would on a normal shift, and some have even been missing out on more than £80 per shift, the union added.
Operating theatre staff were previously on picket lines in June, and although an option to resolve the row was initially tabled by NCA bosses, this has now fallen through.
Hundreds of staff at four of Greater Manchester’s hospitals are set to strike next week / Credit: Stephen Andrews (via Unsplash)
This means that staff at Salford Royal Hospital, Royal Oldham Hospital, Rochdale Infirmary, and Fairfield Hospital in Bury are walking out next week on Monday 24, Wednesday 26, and Friday 28 August.
In particular, staff from all four sites will also gather in Salford on Wednesday (26 August) for a ‘unified’ day of protest.
Understandably, some disruption is expected at each of the hospitals on strike days.
“Those at the top of NCA have shown a lack of leadership and made their disregard for their staff clear,” explained UNISON North West regional organiser, Kevin Dolan.
“A deal was put on the table but taken away before we had chance to talk it over. We are ready to continue negotiations, but it’s obvious NCA has no intention of resolving this.
“This isn’t complicated. Staff are simply asking for what their contract says they’re entitled to. Nothing more.”
Featured Image – Pxhere
News
Wetherspoons introduces new phone rule at all UK pubs after customers are ‘driven nuts’
Emily Sergeant
JD Wetherspoon has announced a major new phone rule in all its sites across the UK after customers complain of being ‘driven nuts’.
The pub chain – which has nearly 800 branches across the UK – announced earlier this week that it has made the decision to ban people from playing music or videos out of their phones, and from taking calls on loudspeaker.
The ban, which has been introduced effective immediately, follows a rising number of complaints from customers about the noise – with owners saying sounds from smartphones and tablet computers had become an ‘increasing problem’ in recent years.
Wetherspoon founder and chairman, Tim Martin, says he wants Wetherspoon pubs to be ‘an oasis of tranquillity and contemplation’.
Wetherspoons has introduced a new phone rule at all its UK pubs after customers are ‘driven nuts’ / Credit: Allan Rohmer (via Unsplash)
A formal statement from the company announcing the ban reads: “Following complaints from customers, who are being driven nuts by other people’s videos and amplified phone conversations, Wetherspoon has asked customers to switch their phones to silent or to use earphones.”
Tim Martin added: “In order to avoid customers being driven chicken jalfrezi by a cacophony of sound, we are kindly asking phone users to pipe down.”
Wetherspoon’s ban follows a YouGov poll conducted last year questioning public opinion on a proposition made by the Liberal Democrats of introducing fines of up to £1,000 for ‘headphone dodgers’ who play music out loud on buses and trains.
62% of people, on average, said they would back this move if it was introduced.
The poll, which surveyed 6,815 British adults, found that almost three-quarters of those over 65 would support the fines, while those aged between 18 and 24 were split 47% to 43% in favour of it.
Early public reactions to Wetherspoon’s ban appears to be overwhelmingly positive.
Emily Sergeant -
28th July 2023 
