Chaos erupted in Manchester city centre on Monday afternoon after a man escaped from lawful custody at Manchester Magistrates Court, prompting a brief police manhunt. The suspect, a 22-year-old man, was seen shirtless and handcuffed being led to a police van by multiple officers following his recapture.
Police response and manhunt
Greater Manchester Police received a report at around 3:30pm on Monday 13 July 2026 that a prisoner had absconded from Manchester Magistrates Court. Officers swiftly attended the scene near Crown Square and the Manchester and Salford Magistrates court buildings in Spinningfields, with a large police presence including a van and car parked along New Court Street.
A search commenced immediately, lasting approximately 25 minutes, before the man was located and arrested. He was taken into custody on suspicion of escaping lawful custody and assault of an emergency worker, according to a police statement.
Witness accounts
One witness, who filmed the incident, described hearing a series of sirens for longer than usual before noticing police vehicles outside their window. “We looked out to see about five or six police vehicles and several police officers sprinting on foot around the courts, and the builders stood around the yard looking panicked,” they said.
The witness added: “Then we saw the man in question being led from around the corner, handcuffed and shirtless, and surrounded by about eight police officers. We assumed he’d escaped the courts, or had run from a serious crime he’d only just committed. Everything died down quite quickly after that and he was put in the back of a police van. The builders stood around then erupted in laughter and everything went back to normal.”
Official statement and ongoing investigation
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police confirmed the suspect remains in custody for questioning. The force stated: “Shortly before 3.30pm on Monday 13 July 2026, we received a report that a prisoner had absconded from Manchester Magistrates Court. Officers swiftly attended and searches commenced for the man. Around 25 minutes later, a 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of escaping lawful custody and assault of an emergency worker. He remains in custody for questioning.”
No further updates have been issued at this time.
