Manchester stabbing: Two injured in targeted attack in city centre

Police cordon off area in Piccadilly after incident

Two men have been stabbed in a “targeted attack” in Manchester city centre.

Witnesses claimed the victims were assaulted outside a Morrisons supermarket on Piccadilly.

One of the men was taken to hospital for treatment but his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. The other was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Video footage showed a large number of police vehicles at the scene shortly after midday on Monday.

Greater Manchester Police urged members of the public to avoid the area.

The force initially described the incident only as an “assault” but later confirmed it was a stabbing.

“At around 12.10pm today, police were called to reports of an assault on Piccadilly,” a spokesperson said.

“An investigation is underway although officers are currently treating this as a targeted attack. There is no threat to the wider community.

“No arrests have been made.

“There are a number of road closures place and members of the public are being asked to avoid the area.”

Last year three people were stabbed at Manchester’s Arndale shopping centre. A man was arrested on suspicion of a terror offence before being detained under the Mental Health Act.