Two officers were viciously attacked in the street with a knife while dealing with the aftermath of a moped crash on Wednesday afternoon (July 26).
The incident unfolded at 4pm, after officers had initially attempted to stop the moped that had been spotted ‘driving erratically’. A short time later it was involved in a collision on Wood Road, on the border of Stretford and Whalley Range.
Whilst the two offers were responding to the crash, in which an 18-year-old was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, another man then approached them and attacked them with a knife in the street.
The unknown man, who is being treated as possibly unconnected to the collision, was arrested at the scene. Officers were forced to use a taser on him before he was detained as an air ambulance landed nearby.
The 26-year-old was taken to hospital as part of standard procedure and then into custody, where he remains to be questioned in relation to the attack.
One of the male officers involved was taken to hospital for treatment but both sustained injuries not thought to be life-threatening or life-changing.
There were dramatic scenes on Wednesday as nine police cars attended the incident and cordoned off Wood Road. An air ambulance and advanced paramedic was scrambled to the area as forensics also conducted investigations.
Superintendent Cara Charlesworth said: “This was a serious assault on two officers who were simply doing their jobs and trying to keep members of the public safe.
“Thankfully the injuries inflicted on our officers are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing and I commend them for their bravery in bringing the incident to a swift and safe conclusion without risk to the public. One has required hospital treatment and we wish him a speedy recovery.
“I can assure you that we are treating this incident with due severity and whilst I am pleased we have a man in custody, this investigation is in its early days and we are working hard to understand the full circumstances.
“I urge anyone with information about this incident that could assist our investigation to please contact police as soon as possible. This includes if you were in the area at the time and have any footage – including mobile, CCTV or dashcam.”
There were dramatic scenes on Wednesday as nine police cars attended the incident and cordoned off Wood Road. An air ambulance and advanced paramedic was scrambled to the area as forensics also conducted investigations.
Superintendent Cara Charlesworth said: “This was a serious assault on two officers who were simply doing their jobs and trying to keep members of the public safe.
“Thankfully the injuries inflicted on our officers are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing and I commend them for their bravery in bringing the incident to a swift and safe conclusion without risk to the public. One has required hospital treatment and we wish him a speedy recovery.
“I can assure you that we are treating this incident with due severity and whilst I am pleased we have a man in custody, this investigation is in its early days and we are working hard to understand the full circumstances.
“I urge anyone with information about this incident that could assist our investigation to please contact police as soon as possible. This includes if you were in the area at the time and have any footage – including mobile, CCTV or dashcam.”
Anyone with any information should contact police on 0161 856 7621 quoting incident number 2401 of 26/07/2023. Reports can also be made anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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