Extra powers in place in Manchester City Centre following serious incidents

Extra powers will be in place in Manchester City Centre following several serious incidents in Manchester City Centre.

Section 60 and Section 34 powers will run for 24 hours. They were authorised at 1:05am this morning (Friday, November 7, 2025) and is set to expire at 11.40pm tonight.

The extra powers have been implemented after police were called to an incident at  Back Piccadilly after a male had been found with life-threatening injuries at 5.44pm. He remains in hospital in a critical condition. One female in her 30s has been arrested following this incident and is in custody. 

At 6.23pm police were called to a report of a man being chased through the city by several offenders who were making threats. The male managed to get away by taking shelter in a restaurant and the group fled. 

No further arrests have been made at this stage and investigations are ongoing. 
Both powers will be effective in the following areas around Piccadilly Gardens and the Northern Quarter: 

• To the West bound by New York Street, Fountain Street and High Street. 
• To the North this will be bound by Shudehill and Ring Road. 
• To the East this will be bound by Gt Ancoats Street. 
• To the South, Port Street, Piccadilly and Portland Street. 

The Section 60 authority grants officers extended powers to stop and search individuals within the area. 

The Section 34 authority grants officers extended powers to disperse groups of individuals they believe to be engaging in anti-social behaviour within the area. 

Superintendent Nicola Williams of GMP’s City of Manchester district said “These orders have been put in place overnight and they give officers additional powers which will be utilised to prevent any further incidents or the carrying of weapons. 

"We will have our dedicated Piccadilly Gardens policing neighbourhood team who are patrolling the area to provide reassurance and visibility to our communities. If you have any concerns or any information, then please speak to those officers who will reassure and respond to any queries. 

“These powers are crucial to preventing potential further offences or instances of violence in the community. If anyone has any information, then we need to hear from you.” 

Anyone with information or footage relating to incidents can be given via 101. You can also make a report via the LiveChat function on GMP's website: www.gmp.police.uk 

Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.