Police called to Arndale Centre at lunchtime

Greater Manchester Police said officers were called to reports of an assault at the Arndale Centre at 12.50pm on Saturday 24 October 2026. A man suffered minor injuries, believed to be a wound to his arm. Two men, aged 18 and 19, were arrested on suspicion of affray and possession of a bladed article, and were held in police custody.

Footage circulating online was reported to show a group lunging at one another before security guards intervened. In the footage described, a guard was seen kicking a knife away from the group and then guarding the weapon underfoot while waiting for police to arrive. The details of what happened before officers arrived remain part of the police account, and the arrested men have not been named in the reports.

Extra patrols and an earlier incident

Police described the incident as isolated, with no wider threat to the public. They added that people could expect to see extra patrols across Manchester city centre over the weekend. The added presence was presented as reassurance for shoppers and workers after a lunchtime incident in a busy centre.

The incident came a week after a 14-year-old boy was stabbed in the same shopping centre. That teenager was reported to be in a stable condition in hospital, with suspects in that case on bail. Police stressed that the two attacks were not related. Anyone with information about the 24 October incident was expected to be able to contact police through the usual reporting routes.