Man stabbed following Syria protest in Salford | Manchester News

A man is in hospital after being stabbed following a protest over tensions in Syria attended by about 300 people, police have said.

The 23-year-man was attacked in Exchange Quay, Salford Quays, on Wednesday, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said following a peaceful protest.

GMP said his injuries are not thought to be life threatening. No arrests have been made in connection with the stabbing, it added.

In a separate incident, four people were arrested following disorder and a subsequent protest in the Wilmslow Road area of Manchester.

Increased dispersal and stop and search powers are in place on Wilmslow Road from A57 to Platt Lane as well as Piccadilly Gardens and Market Street.

GMP said a large police presence will remain in the affected areas, and anyone intent on carrying on the disorder from the previous two days should expect to face “firm enforcement”.

The force said earlier this week small pockets of disorder broke out towards the end of a peaceful protest in Rusholme which led to Section 34 dispersal order being put in place and the crowd moved on. No arrests were made.

On Wednesday afternoon, GMP said “similar disorder” broke out in the same area, resulting in the arrest of three men on suspicion of affray, who remain in custody for questioning.

About 40 people gathered in the evening, with one arrest made in connection with a breach of the Section 34 order.

Ch Supt David Meeney said: “Whilst we will always work to facilitate peaceful protests, we will act against those that engage in disorder and create disruption for our communities.

“We are taking preventative steps to ensure this disorder does not continue. Officers are engaging with local people and listening to their concerns, with additional patrols on the streets to make sure this type of criminality does not continue.

“The Section 60 and 34 powers are in place to assist us in doing just that, and have been expanded to other areas of the city for everyone’s safety.”

“There is also a young man in hospital recovering from stab injuries, and we are appealing for anyone who witnessed this incident at Exchange Quay, or who has any footage or helpful information to come forward with this,” he said.