Cheetham Hill Police Attacked

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Four Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers were injured in two unrelated domestic incidents in Cheetham Hill and Withington on 19 August 2025, sustaining bite marks, broken bones, and other injuries. The assaults occurred while officers were responding to high-risk calls, underlining the dangers of frontline policing.

In Cheetham Hill, near Manchester city centre, three female officers were attacked at around 10:50 p.m. while arresting a man in his 40s wanted for domestic offences, stalking, and breaching a Domestic Abuse Protection Order. The officers suffered bite marks, scratches, a broken finger, cuts, bruises, and swelling around the eye socket. The suspect was arrested at the scene and later detained under the Mental Health Act for assessment. GMP confirmed that all three officers are receiving medical treatment and welfare support as they recover from their injuries.

In a separate incident on Palatine Road, Withington, a male officer sustained a suspected broken cheekbone and tongue injuries during a domestic call. Members of the public stepped in to help the officer during the struggle. A 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of domestic abuse-related assault and assault of an emergency worker. He remains in custody as inquiries continue.

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Boyle, GMP’s local policing lead, condemned the attacks, describing them as “completely unacceptable.” He stressed that officers regularly face risks, particularly during domestic incidents that are often volatile and emotionally charged. Boyle reaffirmed GMP’s commitment to prioritising victim safety while ensuring officers are supported with both physical treatment and welfare services to manage the psychological impact of such incidents.

Domestic abuse remains one of GMP’s policing priorities. In 2024, the force recorded over 60,000 domestic abuse incidents, with specialist units dedicated to safeguarding victims and pursuing offenders. The latest assaults highlight both the scale of the issue and the personal dangers faced by officers when intervening in violent or unstable situations.

The twin incidents have reinforced calls for greater public recognition of the risks faced by officers on duty. Despite the violence, GMP emphasised its commitment to tackling domestic abuse and protecting vulnerable people across Greater Manchester.