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Two teen boys arrested in connection with South Manchester machete ‘incidents’

They remain in police custody.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 13th March 2025

Two teenage boys have been arrested in connection with a series of machete ‘incidents.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP)  explained that, following early-morning warrants in South Manchester yesterday (Wednesday 12 March), officers successfully secured the arrests of two teenage boys in relation to incidents which involved machetes.

The two boys, who are aged 15 and 16, were arrested on suspicion of wounding, and they remain in police custody for questioning at this time.

Police conducted the warrants in the South Manchester area after investigating a number of incidents involving teenagers armed with machetes and zombie knives being involved in violent disorder across the wider borough.

Thankfully, no serious injuries have been reported in relation to these incidents, and police investigations remain ongoing.

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“Our team has been investigating a series of machete incidents in South Manchester over the last four months,” Detective Inspector John Robb, of GMP’s City of Manchester South district, explained following the double arrest.

“These arrests are an excellent result, but our work does not stop there.

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“We will continue our efforts to investigate these crimes and bring those responsible to justice. Extra patrols will be in place across South Manchester, so if you see any of our officers, please feel free to speak to them as they are there to help.”

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Anyone with any suspicions of criminality in Greater Manchester can contact GMP on 101, or alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons

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Paul Merson slams ‘pathetic’ plans for Manchester United’s new stadium

Danny Jones Danny Jones Paul Merson calls Manchester United's new stadium pathetic

Ex-footballer and pundit Paul Merson has branded the recently revealed plans for Manchester United’s new stadium as “pathetic” in a recent interview.

The former Arsenal and Aston Villa turned manager, commentator and TV personality spoke to Sky Sports this week after the CGIs for what some supporters are already dubbing ‘New Trafford’ were shown to the world on Tuesday.

Now, while it’s fair to say the designs have been pretty divisive, for Merson it’s still a headscratcher as to why United supporters want to leave such a historic ground and one that is still the second-largest football stadium in the country for something new and so different.

The 56-year-old didn’t hold back when giving his opinion on the matter, insisting, “If I was a Man United fan I’d be fuming.”

As you can see, ‘Merse’ begins by saying he has “no interest at all”, adding that he thinks “It’s pathetic […] they’ve got one of the biggest stadiums in the Premier League” and therefore aren’t necessarily crying out for more seats, nor an entirely new sporting arena.

It’s worth noting that Old Trafford’s capacity hasn’t necessarily been the issue or priority in recent years: dated facilities, lack of technology such as screens for VAR and the infamous leaking roof, which has been taken into account by architects Foster + Partners.

“Why would you need a new stadium?”, he asks, before going on to suggest that they “need new players” instead and should be more worried about the team and finishing in the top six, “let alone Champions League.”

It’s no secret that the Red Devils’ steady slump out of the premier European competition has cost them significantly in recent years, with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe delivering some alarming revelations about the state of the club’s finances in an interview with Gary Neville prior to the stadium reveal.

Merson summarises his opinion by saying, “I can’t believe what I’ve been seeing over the last couple of days – I’m flabbergasted.” Meanwhile, many people are chiefly concerned with how the stadium is going to be paid for, despite Mayor Andy Burnham’s reassurance that “no public money” will be used.

‘New Trafford’ is set to cost £2 billion and could be completed within five years.

Merson might have very strong opinions on Man United building a new stadium, to begin with, but what we’ve really enjoyed is seeing people’s reactions to the admittedly striking design.

The 100,000-seater venue will be the biggest in the UK, with its main features including a giant tent-like eco-friendly weather-shielding roof as well as three tall spires to mirror both the trident on the club’s badge and carry over the historic ‘Trinity’ theme.

However, not everyone can agree on whether it’s a masterpiece or an eye-sore…

We went out On The Street in Manchester to see what people made of it:

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Featured Images — Sky Sports/Foster + Partners

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Extremely rare ‘dancing lemur’ that’s only the size of a tennis ball born at Chester Zoo

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Dancing Lemur

An extremely rare ‘dancing lemur’ that weighs 100 grams and is only the size of a tennis ball has been born at Chester Zoo.

Primate conservationists at the UK’s largest  charity zoo are celebrating the birth of the critically-endangered Coquerel’s sifaka – also known as a ‘dancing lemur’ – with the tiny baby arriving to parents Beatrice (12) and Elliot (12), and bringing an end to a five-month pregnancy.

The first images released by Chester Zoo show mum Beatrice carefully cradling her new baby, who was born with thick fuzzy white fur, as it clings to her belly.

Chester is the only zoo in the UK, and one of just three in Europe, to care for Coquerel’s sifakas.

Unlike other species of lemur, sifakas stand perfectly upright and use their powerful legs to spring side to side along the forest floor, hence them being affectionately nicknamed the ‘dancing lemur’.

ChDuke Lemur Centre in America to establish a conservation breeding programme across the continent that’s working to prevent the rare primates from becoming extinct.

The unique primates are found in only one place on Earth, the northwestern forests of Madagascar, where its wild population has declined by 80% in the last 30 years due to widespread deforestation, and as a result, the species has sadly been listed as the highest conservation priority there is – critically endangered.

Currently just nine sifaka reside in the whole of Europe, with four now found in Chester. 

An extremely rare ‘dancing lemur’ that’s only the size of a tennis ball has been born at Chester Zoo / Credit: Chester Zoo

Chester Zoo has worked with the Duke Lemur Centre over in America to establish a conservation breeding programme across the continent that’s working to prevent the rare primates from becoming completely extinct.

Primate experts at the zoo say the new baby will begin to branch out and explore on its own at around six months old, and it’s at this point they’ll determine whether it’s a male or female.

“Every Coquerel’s sifaka birth is a huge cause for celebration,” commented Dr Nick Davis, who is the Mammals General Manager at Chester Zoo.

“There are very few remaining globally and every addition within the European conservation breeding programme is vital to the work we’re doing to safeguard the future of this species.

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“The new baby has spent the first vital few weeks of life quietly bonding with mum, Beatrice, and we’re very happy to report that they’re both doing great so far. We’re seeing positive signs – they’ve been inseparable so far.”

Featured Image – Chester Zoo

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