Manchester Academy evacuated and Students’ Union on lockdown after two suspected stabbings

A Popcaan gig at Manchester Academy was cut short last night after police were called to reports that two men had been stabbed inside the venue.

Police were called to an incident at the 2,600 capacity Manchester Academy 1 venue just before 10:30pm with both men taken to hospital. Neither suffered serious injuries and no arrests have yet been made.

The Jamaican dancehall artist was supposedly only four songs into his set when he was taken off stage.

The adjacent University of Manchester Students' Union building, which also houses the smaller Manchester Academy 2, 3, and Club Academy venues, were placed on lockdown.

Students' Union staff, pictured above, reported at midnight that they were still not being allowed to leave the building.

A Manchester Reggae Festival event, scheduled to start after the Popcaan gig, was reportedly also cancelled.

It's not known if events taking place at the smaller Academy venues were affected. CKY, The Springsteen Sessions, and Skengdo X AM were all due to finish between 10:30pm and 11pm.

Just yesterday, the Evening Standard reported than a man in his twenties was stabbed five times after a Popcaan gig at Wembley Arena.

A number of people who were in attendance last night shared what they saw on Twitter.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police told The Manchester Tab: "Shortly before 10.30pm on Friday 7th December police were called to Oxford Road to reports that two men had been stabbed inside a music venue.

"Both went to hospital but neither suffered serious or life-threatening injuries. Enquiries are ongoing and no arrests have been made so far."

The University of Manchester Students' Union has been approached for comment.