A 24-year-old man from Partington has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after four people were injured during a suspected stabbing in Altrincham town centre last night.
Police were called to Railway Street shortly after 3:20am on Sunday morning following reports of an "altercation".
A 21-year-old man suffered a wound to the chest and remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital.
Another man in his 20s sustained facial injuries described as life-changing and was also taken to hospital.
Greater Manchester Police are not yet saying what weapon was used in the incident, but local MP Connor Rand, who has been in contact with the police, referred to the incident as a "stabbing" in a Facebook post.
A 51-year-old man and 52-year-old woman received minor injuries after being assaulted during the incident.
The arrested man is also being held on suspicion of section 18 assault and remains in custody for questioning.
Officers are now appealing for witnesses and are particularly keen to speak to anyone who saw an altercation on Railway Street before a white male in his 20s ran towards Altrincham Interchange.
Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Dixon said: "We are appealing to anyone in the area to come forward who may have witnessed an altercation on Railway Street before a white male in his 20s ran down the street towards Altrincham Interchange.
"Anyone with information is encouraged to call 101 or report information via our website quoting log 484 of 30.11.2025. Information can also be passed anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
“We appreciate the concern that communities may feel during an incident of this nature. We’d like to ask members of the public not to speculate and would like reassure communities that this incident is believed to be isolated.
“Thank you to the community and our retail partners for their co-operation throughout today regarding the disruption that has been caused during our investigation. Officers will remain in and around Altrincham town centre as we continue to conduct our enquiries.”
Altrincham’s Green Party councillors Geraldine Coggins, Michael Welton and Dan Jerrome said they would work with Trafford Council and Greater Manchester Police to understand what had happened.
They said: ‘‘Our thoughts are with the victims of the horrific incident in Altrincham town centre in the early hours of Sunday morning. And with the people from the emergency services who attended the scene. We are receiving updates and await further information on the circumstances as the police investigation progresses.
"We know our residents will be worried and impacted by this shocking crime and the ensuing police investigation. And that businesses locally will be affected too.
"We will work with the council, police and other agencies to understand what happened and if it could have been prevented, to make sure that Altrincham is a safe place for residents to visit and local businesses to thrive."
Local MP Connor Rand said: " I know residents will share my deep distress and concern about the stabbing in Altrincham town centre, on Railway Street close to the hospital, in the early hours of this morning.
"I have been in contact with Greater Manchester Police and they have assured me that they are treating this as an isolated incident.
"I am grateful to all the emergency service workers involved in responding to this incident and to the police for their swift action."
It's understood that the police cordon, which has closed off large parts of Stamford New Road, George Street, Shaw's Road and Railway Street throughout Sunday, will be lifted early this evening.
