A mass brawl over the weekend in Spinningfields, during which it’s believed a gun was discharged, has led to the arrest of two teenage men.
The pair are due to appear in Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court today, charged with possessing a firearm.
A large fight broke out on Wood Street shortly after 4am on Saturday 5 November, close to the Oast House and BLVD nightclub.
GMP Detectives say that CCTV shows a number of people in the area as the brawl broke out, with gunshots heard.
Thankfully, no one was injured in the incident, but officers say it could have been a ‘very different story’.
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They’re now appealing for any witnesses to come forward with information.
#CHARGED | GMP Detectives are continuing to appeal for further information and witnesses after two men were found in possession of a firearm in #Manchester City Centre.
The two men were both remanded into custody following their arrests.
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Talib Shabani, 19, of Hattern Avenue in Leicester, has been charged for possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, driving a motor vehicle dangerously and use of a motor vehicle with no third-party insurance.
Abdul Wali, also 19, of no fixed abode, has been charged for possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.
Detective Inspector Madeline Kelly of GMP’s City of Manchester division said: “Thankfully no one was injured in this incident, however this could have been a very different story, as there were a large number of people in the area at the time.
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“We have a dedicated team of Detectives working hard to establish the facts and to understand what preceded this incident, however I would like to stress that we cannot do this alone and often vital evidence lies with witnesses and members of the public.
“I am particularly keen to speak to anyone who was in or around Wood Street in Manchester City Centre and specifically near to the Oast house and BLVD nightclub at about 4am on Saturday the 5th of November.
“Perhaps you were walking past, or waiting for a taxi nearby and have mobile phone footage of what happened? Maybe you were parked up nearby and have dash cam footage that would assist us? No matter how insignificant it may seem, any information could prove invaluable in solidifying this investigation”.
Anyone with information should contact the police on 0161 856 4409 quoting incident number 536 of 05/11/22.
Reports can also be made anonymously to the independent charity – Crimestoppers – on 0800 555 111.
Featured image: Google Maps
News
A Manchester barbershop is offering a ‘pay what you can’ service this month
Danny Jones
Amidst the tidal wave of January deals on food and drink in Manchester, a local barbers is championing their own ‘pay what you can’ offer to help people along this month.
Jefe’s Barbershop, located in the heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter, is one of the best barbers in the city centre, offering a wide variety of cuts and facial hair grooming services – they even offer a subscription service that helps people save money on regular trims.
That being said, they are well aware of those January blues and the mounting obstacles and anxieties that come with weeks of penny-pinching to make it to month’s end, as well as the general toll it can take on people’s mental health.
So this January, Jefe and his team are doing something different – as he puts it, “something special”: the barbershop is allowing customers to simply pay what they feel comfortable handing over and, in the case of those struggling, whatever they can afford.
It’s a simple gesture with a big purpose which helps ensure no one has to miss out on a feel-good moment or the confidence that comes from a fresh trim.
“All we do is laugh and joke about life—that’s why people come here,” Jefe explains. “I don’t want anyone to lose the chance to be present, to feel good, and to laugh with us.
“Men often need more help than they’re willing to let on and we want to be a helping hand they can rely on.” Now that’s a cause all of us can and should get behind.
Community support has remained at the core of Jefe’s Barbershop since the beginning when he swapped a basketball career for providing a much-needed service to Mancunian men.
From partnering with Manc sandwich shops and offering free haircuts for the homeless, to hosting street parties with local events companies and providing £5 trims to promote men’s mental health in 2023 when the cost of living crisis really kicked in – Jefe’s is always trying to make a difference in the area.
You’ve got to love businesses that go the extra mile.
If you want to make the most of this wholesome deal or just feel like you’re in need of a trim, you can book HERE or call them directly on 0161 818 7659.
The ‘pay what you can’ offer runs Monday to Thursday, 9am-7pm, subject to availability. You’ll find Jefe’s Barbershop on Stevenson Square
Because as the man himself puts it, “Everyone deserves to feel their best”.
Police appeal for witnesses after possible attempted kidnap of 11-year-old girl in Irlam
Emily Sergeant
An appeal for information and witnesses has been issued following the possible attempted kidnap of an 11-year-old girl in Irlam.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that at around 8:30am yesterday (14 January 2025), the young girl – who was walking to school at the time – reported being approached by a male and female on Silver Street in Irlam, close to the junction of Cutnook Lane.
It is believed the pair had been driving in the area in a car and a van, according to police.
The two then grabbed hold of the girl, before she was able to run away and later inform an adult of what had happened.
The male the police are hoping to gain information on is described as white, approximately 5ft 9 inches tall, with short dark hair and clean-shaven, and he was wearing blue jeans and a black hoodie at the time, while the female is described as white, and was wearing leggings and a black hoodie.
The car is described as a black four-door vehicle, while the van was small, white, and new-looking and with a sliding door.
#APPEAL | Detectives are appealing for information after a girl was approached and grabbed in Salford.
At around 8.30am today, an 11-year-old girl walking to school reported being approached by a male and female on Silver Street, Irlam.
In the interest of public safety while police are currently investigating the incident, extra officers have been deployed to the local area for reassurance as their enquiries continue, GMP has confirmed.
Appealing to the public, officers are also asking anyone who lives in the area to check for any relevant dashcam, CCTV, or doorbell footage from around the time of the incident, and anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious is also asked to contact police.
“This is of course a concerning and distressing incident and I would like to reassure the community that we are doing all we can to investigate the circumstances,” explained Detective Inspector Justin Bryant, from GMP’s Salford district.
“We are keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed something or has footage from around the time of the incident, and we would urge anyone with any information to please get in touch, as your assistance could be greatly beneficial to our work.
“We are ensuring that the girl and the family are being kept-up-to date and supported at this time.”
Information can be passed on to 101 or via the GMP Live Chat service at gmp.police.uk, quoting log 1205 of 14/01/25, or alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Daisy Jackson -
7th November 2022 
