A 14-year-old boy is in a stable condition in hospital after being stabbed in the car park of the Arndale Centre in Manchester city centre on Saturday. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed the update on Sunday, stating that the boy's injuries are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing.
The teenager was rushed to hospital with serious injuries after the incident, which occurred on a busy shopping Saturday. Police described the injuries as consistent with a stab wound. The boy has not been named.
Police response and appeal
Armed police were seen surrounding the shopping centre on Saturday afternoon, October 17. GMP said officers were called to a reported stabbing on the ninth level of the multi-storey car park at around 3.15pm. Emergency services found the boy with serious injuries at the scene.
A force spokesperson said no arrests have been made as yet, but an appeal for information from the public remains in place. The Manchester Evening News understands the boy may have been involved in an argument with other unknown youths before being stabbed. The altercation allegedly occurred moments after a reported 'shoplifting incident', with several sources at the Arndale reporting the same timeline.
Scene and investigation
Armed officers were seen in attendance among several squad cars on High Street, Withy Grove and Dantzic Street. Paramedics were also seen at the Arndale, using a lift to reach the upper floors of the car park. The ninth floor of the multi-storey car park remained closed late on Saturday night, with forensics investigators gathering evidence and several parked cars stuck within the cordon.
Detective Inspector Sam Jones, of GMP's City of Manchester District CID, said on Saturday: "This incident will understandably cause concern, but thankfully the injuries suffered by the victim are not life threatening. Detectives at the scene are working extremely hard to process the scene with crime scene investigators. This is believed to be an isolated incident with no risk to the wider public. Greater Manchester Police are committed to diligently investigating all knife crime and bringing offenders to justice, and we are asking for anyone with information about this incident to come forward to assist with our enquiries."
How to help
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact police on 101, quoting log 2050 of October 17, 2026, or use the LiveChat function on GMP's website. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. No further details have been given.
