Detectives make further arrests as investigation into a burglary at a university building progresses

We’ve arrested four people this morning (Thursday 5 December 2024) across Manchester, including Hulme and Old Trafford, following simultaneous warrants.

Two men and two women aged between 20 and 34, were detained on suspicion of aggravated burglary, after the reported theft of statue busts at a university building on Oxford Road, Manchester on Friday 1 November.

These were a bust of Chaim Weizmann and a bust of Harold Baily Dixon that were stolen, these were later defaced publicly. Both were chemistry academics and Weizmann was the first president of Israel.

Those arrested remain in our custody at this time, whilst we continue to progress the investigations.

Previously, a 25-year-old man was arrested back on Friday 8 November in connection with this incident and remains on bail at this time.

Detective Chief Inspector Jill Billington said, “We’ve so far made 32 arrests linked with 28 targeted incidents across Greater Manchester between 9 October 2023 and 1 November 2024. Nine people have been charged.

“Many of these incidents have caused upset within communities, and impacted people trying to go about their everyday lives.

“In Greater Manchester, we have always supported people’s democratic right to peaceful protest and have seen how people can bring their voices together in this way many times across the region, however what we will not tolerate is those intent on committing criminal acts.

“I hope today’s arrests, and our continued efforts to act where incidents have crossed over into criminality, provides our communities with reassurance on how seriously we are taking these and how swiftly we are prepared to deal with them.

“Criminality is not welcome in Greater Manchester.”

A major incident portal, where members of the public can submit CCTV, dashcam or mobile phone footage of all of these incidents, remains open here. This information has been crucial to our investigations so far and we wish to thank all those who have assisted so far.

Information can also be provided to us be calling 101, or reporting via our website, or LiveChat. If an incident is ongoing, always call 999.