Eyewitnesses have spoken of the chaotic scenes after a man was 'slashed' near Piccadilly train station. The drama unfolded shortly before 1:30pm this afternoon.
Armed officers swarmed London Road next to the station after police received reports of a 'fight.' There they found a man who had suffered a 'slash wound' to his hand.
He was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to hospital. He has since been arrested on suspicion of assault and is to be questioned in due course.
READ MORE: LIVE: Armed police swarm area around Piccadilly station following fight - latest updates
The M.E.N understands no knives or weapons were found at the scene. Detectives are now appealing for help tracing a second man, dressed 'all in black clothing' said to be involved.
A staff member at the nearby Piccadilly Central pub said he was told the man had been 'taken off a bus' and had a Gucci bag taken off him.
"I somehow didn't see the incident" he said. "Two girls just came rushing into the pub asking if we had a first aid kit and I went outside to help them. He was in a pretty bad way but was sitting up so hopefully they are okay.
"We wrapped his hand up but there was a lot of blood. The police were here within minutes as they are always at the station. They jumped on two young guys but released them after a bit.
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"The man had apparently been pulled off a bus by two others because he had a new Gucci bag and they took it off him after a fight which is when his hand was slashed. It's worrying that something like that can happen at that time of day in such a busy area."
Another witness said: "There was a guy standing with him (the injured man). I think he's pulled the guy and told him (what had happened).
"As I was walking I could see him walking, curling over and he must have said to him 'are you alright?, what's up with you?' and that's when he realised.
"So the guys panicking I saw him looking round and giving directions to the ambulance. I stood there for a minute and said 'Is he alright?' and he said 'I'm just waiting for the ambulance.'
"From that point, it was here dead quick. I could see it in his face he was panicking. The young lad was in pain, excruciating pain."
A cordon remains in place at the junction of London Road and Whitworth Street with detectives and specialist crime scene investigation (CSI)
A GMP spokesperson said: "Officers were called to reports of a fight between two males at London Road, Manchester city centre, at around 1:20pm today (27 June 2023).
"One man sustained a hand injury and was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital. He has since been arrested on suspicion of assault and will be questioned by detectives in due course.
"Enquiries are ongoing to identify the second male involved in the incident - he was dressed in dark clothing and officers are appealing for information to identify him."
Detective Chief Inspector Ian McNabb, from City of Manchester CID, said: "GMP officers attended the scene and quickly brought the situation under control.
"Our investigations are at an early stage but we are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with footage to contact us quoting log 1914-27/2/23."
