David De Gea, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw al have homes in Altrincham in Trafford, Greater Manchester. But the historic town is getting a name for something other than football – violent crime
11:03, 30 Jan 2026Updated 11:04, 30 Jan 2026
The town was known for famous footballer locals
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The town was known for famous footballer locals(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
A historic market town favoured by footballers and their glamourous wives has been given a new grim moniker – "stabbing central". Altrincham in Trafford, Greater Manchester is popular with sports stars, famous musicians and celebrities due to its top rate schools, fancy restaurants and proximity to four Premier League clubs.
However, a surge of late-night bloody knife crime in Altrincham, Trafford, Greater Manchester has left locals fearing gangs of thugs roaming the streets. The criminals are understood to be using Manchester's Metrolink to access the town where mega mansions regularly sell for £12million.
Despite upmarket town being ranked the sixth happiest place to live in the UK, the crime rate is 25% above the national average. The national average is currently 83.5 crimes per 1000 residents while Altrincham's stands at 104.1 per 1000 locals.
Rico Burton was knifed to death
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Rico Burton was knifed to death(Image: MEN Media)
A local pub-owner told the Sun the town has become a "victim of its own success" as he also blamed cheap shots and late bars for the rise in crime. They said: "Some of our customers regularly joke we should hand out complimentary stab-proof vests with every round of drinks, but sadly, Altrincham’s increasing violence is a symptom of the fact it’s becoming a victim of its own success.
”Too many bars are open until 3am when frankly 1am will suffice. The fact that they sell cheap shots makes it a lethal cocktail when it comes to going out."
He added: "Footballers and their WAGS would often come to Altrincham because of its reputation as a well-heeled and wealthy town steeped in history. I can only suppose the violence makes them too fearful to come here now.”
Crime is above the national average
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Crime is above the national average(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
Heavy-weight boxing champion Tyson Fury's cousin Rico Burton was stabbed to death outside a pub while trying to defuse a situation in 2022. Multiple others have been seriously injured while another man was left paralysed for life.
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After the stabbing, Fury said: "The United Kingdom is supposed to be one of the safest countries in the world, and yet we can’t go down the street with a watch on our wrist or anything because we’re going to get stabbed. The government needs to make this tougher on these little cowards who carry knives and weapons.”
The town has attracted many top Premier League players with Liverpool, Everton, Manchester United and Manchester City all within a short drive. David De Gea, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw all have properties in the area.
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