Police launch murder investigation as 17-year-old boy dies after being stabbed in Manchester street

Police have opened a murder investigation after a teenager was fatally stabbed on a residential street in Manchester this morning.

The 17-year-old boy was rushed to hospital in an air ambulance but sadly died shortly after from stab wounds.

Greater Manchester Police were alerted to a stabbing on Southlea Road in Withington just after 11.30am today.

A cordon remained in place into the evening with medical examiners investigating the scene.

The force said it did not believe it was a random attack, adding initial investigations suggest there is no wider threat to the community.

The teenager’s relatives have been informed and are being cared for by specially trained officers.

Neighbors living in the area were shocked to learn of the tragic incident.

One, who asked not to be named, told the Manchester Evening News: “It’s shocking because it’s right next to a school and around the time the children in the kindergarten go home.”

The boy had been rushed to hospital in an air ambulance just after 11.30am this morning but sadly died of his injuries.

Others said they were worried about their children. One added: “I have to pick up my kids from school, but I don’t want to bring them back to this.”

Officers have introduced a temporary stop and search order under Section 60 in the Withington and Burnage parts of the city.

This means officers can stop searching anyone in a defined area within the next 24 hours.

Detective Superintendent Neil Jones of the GMP South Manchester Division said: ‘Our thoughts are with the loved ones of the victim at this devastating time, and I understand this will cause distress and concern to the community and across Manchester.

“We are in the early stages of our investigation, but I can assure you that our officers are carrying out thorough investigations to establish all the circumstances surrounding this incident.

Officers said they did not believe it was a random attack and initial inquiries suggest there is no wider risk to the public

“You may notice that there will be an increase in the number of officers on the streets in the Withington and Burnage area over the next few days to gather intelligence and reassure the public.”

Superintendent Helen Critchley, of GMPs City of Manchester division, said: ‘We understand that the use of a Section 60 may cause concern to residents, however, we only use these powers where proportionate and necessary, this which I think is the case today.

“Rest assured, we are doing everything we can to protect you. We have deployed additional uniformed and non-uniformed officers to the area to support the investigation team and the community, and I want members of the public to know that they can approach the officers and speak to them if they have any concerns. questions or concerns.

“The force works with partner agencies to combat, prevent and reduce knife crime, so I would like to take this opportunity to encourage anyone who knows or suspects someone is carrying a weapon to report it before it is too late. .”

Anyone who has information about the incident or has concerns is encouraged to speak to officers who can provide help and support.

Police have also asked any member of the public who has a dash cam or CCTV footage of this area to contact police on 0161 856 1995 quoting incident 1125 of 22/11/2022.

Greater Manchester Police can be contacted via gmp.police.uk or 101.

In an emergency, always dial 999. Crime information can also be shared anonymously via the independent charity – Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.