Murder investigation launched after two people stabbed in Moss Side
ITV Granada Reports correspondent Andy Bonner reports from the scene.
A murder investigation is underway after two men were fatally stabbed in Manchester.
Emergency services were called to Great Southern Street, Moss Side, at 5am on Sunday (17 November).
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said two people were treated at the scene by first responders but were pronounced dead.
A 23-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and police are treating the case as an isolated incident.
Officers said initial enquiries suggest that the suspect and one of the victims were known to each another.
Detective Chief Superintendent David Meeney, district commander for the city of Manchester, said, "Two lives have been lost in our community, and our thoughts go to their families who have lost a loved one today."
“We have launched a murder investigation, and detectives from our major incident team continue to work diligently conducting CCTV trawls and speaking to witnesses to find out what has happened to the victims.
"We swiftly made an arrest this morning and we're not looking for anyone else in relation to this. We are treating it as an isolated incident with no wider threats to the public.
"We understand the shockwaves that this devastating news will have caused in the local community and further afield across Greater Manchester. We've placed a number of local neighbourhood officers in the area to conduct visible patrols to reassure the community. If you have any concerns, please speak to them. They are there to lend a listening ear."
A local teacher was up marking papers when she heard commotion outside.
She said: “I could hear helicopters. I could see the blue flashing lights through the window. I thought, ‘What’s going on?’ I thought it must have been something serious because there were loads of police. I was in shock, thinking, ‘What’s happening?’
“Something like this has never happened before. I’ve got children. It’s horrible; it’s really shocking."
Greater Manchester's Deputy Mayor for Policing, Crime, Criminal Justice and Fire, Kate Green, has reassured concerned residents.
She said, “I offer my deepest sympathies to the families of the victims of the stabbings on Great Southern Street, Moss Side, this morning.
“I would also like to thank the front-line staff from Greater Manchester Police and North West Ambulance Service who were at the scene, and repeat GMP’s assurances that this is being treated as an isolated incident and is not an ongoing threat.
“GMP have taken swift action and currently have a man in custody suspected to be responsible for the attack. They are not currently looking for anyone else in connection to the incident.
“I want to reassure the community who will inevitably be shocked and concerned by the attack this morning, that GMP have increased visibility and are working hard with partners to ensure residents in Greater Manchester are safe now, and in the future."
Det Ch Supt Meeney added, "I'd like to thank the local community who have really pulled together and co-operated with our inquiries. We also understand that our cordon may prevent people from going about their daily lives. Officers are working hard to ensure that the community can return to normality as swiftly as possible.
"If you have any information that may be able to assist our inquiries, please get in touch with our officers. Please don't assume that we already know. Any small piece of information may be vital for our major incident team detectives to find out what has happened here this morning."
Anyone with information should contact GMP on 101 quoting 553 of 17/11/24. Information can also be shared anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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