Police car damaged and officers make an arrest after reports of a man with knife in Whalley Range

Police responded yesterday evening at around 7.30pm (Thursday 23 January 2025) to an incident in Whalley Range after a disturbance on Burford Road, at the junction of Withington Road.

From initial enquiries made at the scene, it is believed that a man pushed another man off his bike before assaulting him and brandishing a knife whilst threatening violence to members of the public in the nearby vicinity.

Officers were quickly on the scene in minutes of the first report being made and when officers arrived on the scene, the man started to attack a liveried police car.

A man, aged 25, was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon. He remains in police custody.

The cyclist, a man in his 20s, received injuries and has been taken to hospital for treatment. Three police officers were injured in the incident. Thankfully, all those injuries are not life-changing or life-threatening.

Superintendent Phil Spurgeon said: “We are aware of the concern the news of this incident will cause in the surrounding areas and further afield across Manchester as we received a number of reports from members of the public to alert us to this incident.

“We hope in releasing the body worn video footage from officers at the scene, it shows the public what officers face on daily basis, and any attack on those who bravely protect our communities is a serious criminal offence, and it will be dealt with using the full force of the law.

“Whilst we establish the full circumstances of this incident, a scene will remain in place on Burford Road. We thank the public for their patience as we work hard to establish the full circumstances of this incident and we are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident or has any footage whether it be dashcam or mobile footage to come forwards and speak to us.

"Please don’t assume it is already known, it could be this missing piece of information we need to progress this investigation.

“Contact us by calling 101 quoting log 3088 of 23/1/25 or alternatively Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.”