Police raced to the scenes of two violent incidents across Manchester
18:18, 01 Jan 2026Updated 18:18, 01 Jan 2026
Police and forensic teams attend the scene of a fatal New Years Eve stabbing in Bury(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
There were scenes of horror on the streets of Greater Manchester on New Year’s Eve after a man was killed in a brutal stabbing and three people were injured in an attack.
Just minutes before midnight, police raced to the scene of a stabbing in Bury. A man had been knifed in a disturbance on Tarn Drive at around 11.55pm, but the victim, a man in his 20s, could not be saved and was pronounced dead.
Officers remained at the scene overnight and throughout New Year’s Day (January 1) following the fatal stabbing conducting investigations and fingertip searches. A murder investigation was launched by detectives.
Police CSI teams on Tarn Drive in Bury after man killed in New Year’s Eve stabbing
Greater Manchester Police said two people – a man and a woman both in their 20s – have been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in custody to be questioned in connection with the incident.
Pictures showed a large cordon in place with a heavy police presence remaining at the scene throughout Thursday. A blue evidence tent was erected outside a property as forensics in white suits scoured the scene.
Forensics at the scene in Bury(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
Residents have since spoken of their shock at the incident as thousands of others celebrated the New Year across Manchester. “We do have some trouble around here, but it’s mostly kids shooting fireworks at each other,” one person said.
“There were some fireworks around midnight, but then an hour or two passed and it was like everything kicked off again. But a stabbing is quite the escalation – it’s really shocking to see.”
Greater Manchester Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward as they progress with their murder investigation. A force spokesperson said: “At around 11.55pm on Wednesday 31 December 2025, we were called to reports of a disturbance at an address on Tarn Drive in Bury.
“Officers attended the scene and located a male in his 20s with injuries consistent with a stabbing. Despite the best efforts of emergency services at the scene, the male sadly died.
“A male and a female in their 20s have both been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in custody for questioning. Investigations are ongoing.”
Three people were also then injured in an attack in Middleton shortly after, in the early hours of New Year’s Day. Greater Manchester Police officers raced to Old Manchester Road in the Rhodes area at around 1.30am to reports of an assault.
Officers found two men – one in his 20s and one in his 60s – and a woman in her 30s, with serious injuries. They were taken to hospital for treatment, while a man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of assault causing grievous bodily harm and remains in custody.
The scene following an assault in Middleton(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
The car park between the Carters Arms pub and the small shopping precinct remained taped off into the afternoon as officers made enquiries into the violent incident. It’s understood the incident had stemmed from an argument inside a nearby pub.
“It seemed to have started in there and then people came outside,” a worker nearby said. “One person kicked off with another, they came out here and in an altercation someone ended up getting punched.”
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are appealing for anyone who may be able to help detectives with their enquiries to come forward. A spokesperson for the force said: “Investigations are ongoing.
“Officers are appealing to anybody who may have witnessed the incident outside or relevant events inside the premises to report it to the police via 101 or our Live Chat service at gmp.police.uk, quoting log 3529 of 31/12/2025.
“Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”