Detectives make another two arrests as enquiries continue into burglary from University building
Detectives in Greater Manchester have arrested two more women, aged 21 and 22, on suspicion of assisting an offender in connection with a burglary of statue busts from a University building on Oxford Road. The stolen items included busts of Chaim Weizmann and Harold Baily Dixon, both chemistry academics, with Weizmann's bust later being defaced. Nine individuals have now been detained in total, with seven on police bail. Detective Chief Inspector Jill Billington emphasized ongoing efforts to combat such criminality and warned against involvement in direct action. The public is encouraged to submit information via a major incident portal or other reporting methods.
Two women aged 21 and 22 were arrested Thursday morning in Central and South Manchester on suspicion of assisting an offender in connection with the aggravated burglary and defacement of historic statue busts stolen from a University building on Oxford Road last November.
The arrests bring the total number of individuals detained in the investigation to nine, with seven currently on police bail. The stolen items—a bust of Chaim Weizmann, first president of Israel, and a bust of Harold Baily Dixon, both chemistry academics—were taken during the 1 November break-in. The Weizmann bust was later publicly defaced.
“Today’s arrests show that this investigation, along with many others, are still very much ongoing, and I hope sends a clear and strong message to anyone wishing to involve themselves in direct action that this will not be tolerated,” said Detective Chief Inspector Jill Billington. She emphasized that Greater Manchester Police supports peaceful protest but will take robust action when actions cross into criminality, noting that communities have the right to come to the city without fear or disruption.
The two women remain in custody for questioning. Police continue to appeal for information through a major incident portal where the public can submit footage or information, which has proven crucial to the investigation.
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