Arrest made as investigators seek further information following series of assaults

An arrest has been made following a series of assaults in Manchester on Saturday evening.

Officers are now appealing for information following the assaults which occurred on Oxford Road in Manchester city centre on Saturday 9 March 2024.

Officers initially responded to reports of a serious assault on a woman in Heald Place. She was taken to hospital with serious non-life-threatening injuries.

Shortly after, officers received reports of a man, reported as having no clothes on, causing a disturbance in the nearby Oxford Road area, grabbing and harassing members of the public. No serious injuries were reported during this time.

Officers serving the city centre attended and a man, aged 30, was subsequently arrested on suspicion of assault, sexual assault, attempted rape, and assaulting an emergency worker. He was additionally taken to hospital for treatment and has since been detained under the mental health act.

Enquiries are ongoing and officers are currently working with those involved to provide the appropriate support.

Detective Inspector Michelle Buchanan, from GMP’s City of Manchester district, said: “This is obviously an incredibly concerning incident, and I am glad that we were able to make a quick arrest not long after the reports came in to us.

“I want to firstly reassure locals and nearby residents that we are working hard to put together the exact details of what has gone on – to ensure those involved receive the justice they deserve.

“We have put extra patrols in place around the areas in which this incident occurred and those officers are there for you – if you have any queries, don’t hesitate to approach and ask for any advice.

“We are now asking for anyone who may have witnessed the event to come forward – if you have any mobile phone footage, dashcam, or CCTV from yesterday evening, do please get in touch with us. If you were affected by the incident, we will be able to assist you.

"There will have been lots of buses and taxis on this stretch of road during this time - if any drivers have any footage, this would be greatly appreciated.

“You can contact police on 0161 856 4305, on 101 or via gmp.police.uk, quoting log number 2614 of 10/03/24. Alternatively, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”