Andy Burnham has promised Greater Manchester Police will do everything they can to make students feel safe following a stabbing in Fallowfield. The mayor said his heart goes out to the family of the 19-year-old boy who was killed in a 'random attack' in Wilmslow Road yesterday morning (October 26).
Police have now confirmed that the young man who was taken to hospital with stab wounds was a student at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU). Speaking on BBC Radio Manchester this morning (October 27), Mr Burnham said students should feel safe in the city and promised to help however he can.
But he refuted claims that there is a 'knife epidemic' in Greater Manchester. He said: "I know when these incidents happen they are high profile, they're shocking, but the figures don't say that there is a massive increase between last year and this year. But of course, everybody would say it's far too high.
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"I don't think we'd say there is an exponential increase. But we're very worried about the issue."
According to an annual report produced by the deputy mayor's office, there were 3,818 recorded incidents of knife crime in the year ending March 2021. This figure increased to 18 pc in the next year, with 4,510 incidents recorded.
The report also reveals that 43 pc of suspects and 39 pc of victims of knife crime in Greater Manchester are aged under 25, mostly young men and boys. However, Mr Burnham said the latest figures presented at a knife crime summit last week in Manchester were broadly comparable to last year.
Nevertheless, he said he would speak to the Vice Chancellor of MMU later today (October 27) and meet with the student representative bodies soon. He spoke of the importance of having a police presence in the community.
The Labour mayor also said there are now more police officers on the streets this year than there were last year and more people are stopped and searched.
He added: "That is a controversial tactic and it has to be done carefully but it is being done carefully by Greater Manchester Police and there are significantly more stops and searches taking place to apprehend people with weapons. If more weapons are being carried, obviously it follows that more needs to be done to find those."
The M.E.N understands that the young man was attacked by someone he did not know while on his way home from a house party. Police cordoned off Wilmslow Road between the junction with Mabfield Road and Wilbraham Road at around 2am, which remained in place until yesterday evening (October 26).
Detective Superintendent Neil Jones of Greater Manchester Police South Manchester Division said: "I know that people in Manchester will be shocked and concerned by this incident. I share this concern and assure you that there is a dedicated team of specialist officers in the area who are investigating at pace to find the person responsible.
"Local officers will be patrolling the areas and I urge anyone with information or concerns to speak to those officers who are on hand to help and support you."
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