Greater Manchester was marred by two significant incidents of violence over the New Year's period, beginning with a fatal stabbing in Bury on New Year's Eve, followed by an assault in Middleton in the early hours of New Year's Day that left three people seriously injured.

The first incident occurred on Tarn Drive in Bury at approximately 11:55 pm on Wednesday 31 December 2025, just moments before midnight. Police were called to reports of a disturbance and discovered a man in his 20s suffering from injuries consistent with a stabbing. Despite the best efforts of emergency services at the scene, the man tragically died. Detectives from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) immediately launched a murder investigation into the fatal stabbing.

A significant police presence remained at Tarn Drive overnight and throughout New Year's Day, with a large cordon in place, and a blue evidence tent erected outside a property as forensic teams conducted meticulous searches. In connection with the incident, a man and a woman, both in their 20s, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and are currently in police custody for questioning.

Local residents expressed profound shock at the violence, noting that while minor disturbances like fireworks were sometimes present, a fatal stabbing represented a grave and unsettling escalation in the area's usual troubles. GMP has issued an appeal for witnesses, urging anyone with information to contact them via 101, their Live Chat service at gmp.police.uk, or anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, quoting log 3529 of 31/12/2025.

Just hours later, in the early hours of New Year's Day, a separate violent event unfolded in Middleton. At around 1:30 am, officers responded to reports of an assault on Old Manchester Road in the Rhodes area. They found two men, one in his 20s and another in his 60s, along with a woman in her 30s, all with serious injuries. All three victims were transported to the hospital for urgent medical treatment.

A man in his 30s has been arrested on suspicion of assault causing grievous bodily harm in connection with the Middleton incident and remains in custody. It is understood that this altercation stemmed from an argument that began inside a nearby pub before escalating outside. A car park situated between the Carters Arms pub and a small shopping precinct was cordoned off as police conducted their enquiries. GMP is also appealing for anyone who witnessed this incident, either outside or within the premises, to come forward with information by contacting them via 101 or Live Chat, quoting log 3529 of 31/12/2025, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.