Police report rape next to Mancunian Way as Man Met issues warning to staff and students over safety

• Incident follows warning by Man Met uni to students and staff to avoid the area
• Local shopkeeper is shocked by incident
• Area was sealed off by police following incident

Reports of a rape next to the Mancunian Way underpass in the early hours of this morning have intensified concerns over safety in the city centre.

The incident follows a stark warning issued by Man Met University to staff and students after reports of several attacks over the last six weeks.

Police were called to the scene in the early hours of this morning (January 31) following reports of a rape near Hoyle Street, between the city centre and Ardwick.

A section of woodland and pavement was cordoned off this morning as an investigation was launched.

Police enquiries

In a statement GMP: “At around 3am on Wednesday, January 31 2024, officers were called to reports of a rape on Mancunian Way, Manchester. No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing at this stage.”

INF Haircare and Cosmetics sits beside Hoyle Street, not far from where last night’s incident took place.

The owner Sam, 47, has run the shop for the past 10 years and was shocked by the news.

“I’m surprised there’s been a rape here,” he said. “It’s terrible. We’ve not heard anything.”

Speaking to NQ, he pointed to a camera on the other side of the road, near the corner of Temperance Street.

“There’s a camera there, it’s been there since just before pandemic,” he said.

“There were a lot of incidents here before, a lot of drug users and muggings as well. We used to have the police come over at least two or three times a year and ask if we’d heard of anything, but they’ve not been there since the camera’s been here.

“It’s been quiet for about three or four years now.”

Safety on campus

Last week Man Met released a safety update regarding the spate of incidents on Mancunian Way over the past few weeks.

“Greater Manchester police are investigating several attacks that have occurred over the last six weeks in the underpass at the Cambridge Street/Higher Cambridge Street roundabout under the Mancunian Way,” the statement reads.

“The safety and wellbeing of our university community is of utmost importance, and therefore, we strongly advise colleagues and students against using this route until further notice.

“While the police investigate, we recommend you use an alternative route, for example along Oxford Road through the main campus to reach SODA, the Students’ Union or Birley.”

The university is advising students to use the Safezone app which allows them to quickly call for security assistance both on and around campus, both for first aid and immediate assistance.