Cain Fisher (12/06/94) was released from prison in August 2019 after being jailed in June 2017 for burglary.

Fisher is known to have links to the Swinton and Salford areas of Greater Manchester.

Anybody with information regarding the whereabouts of Fisher should contact the police on 0161 856 5238 independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Stuart David Potts aged 39-years-old of Borough Road in Salford, stood in the dock this morning to plead guilty to one count of throwing a firework in a public place as well as a further count of using threatening insulting or abusive words to cause harassment, alarm of distress.

Stuart also known locally as 'Pottsy' was told that he could possibly face imprisonment for his act of stupidity which has angered not only this City but also an entire nation. His actions have been condemned across the whole of the UK.

As people stood in silence at the annual remembrance day parade on Church Street in Eccles, Pottsy set off the first of two fireworks from the first storey windows of the derelict Albert Edward pub which directly faces the cenotaph. This resulted in several large bangs and crackling sounds, the second firework was a rocket aimed just 15 feet above the heads of the crowd gathered below. A crowd which included elderly armed service veterans and small children.

Some of those veterans have and still do suffer the effects of PTSD due to the trauma of the wars they have fought in.

In a photo we have managed to obtain (below) it shows clearly the fireworks (four of them) were placed in a pumpkin pointing towards the cenotaph BEFORE they were set off during the two minute silence.

Moments afterwards the same pumpkin was visible on the ledge without the fireworks present.

During his interview he declined to give comment other than to say that he was asked to do it by someone else and that he believed it to be a mark of respect.

A angry crowd confronted Potts and after shouting abusive comments he retired from the window ledge he was on after a man threw a traffic cone which hit him on the leg as he passed back through the window.

In court this afternoon Potts was sentenced to 16 weeks behind bars after the Judge told him that he did not take the view that he had shown any remorse.

Potts Laywer, Abigail Henry, told the court how her client expressed sincere and genuine remorse for his actions and that he wished through his lawyer and a letter to the court to apologise to those at the service as well as other members of the community which have been affected.

She went on to say that her client was now well aware of the impact of what he did and the consequences, describing Mr Potts actions as misguided.

She asked the court to be lenient in sentencing and reminded them that,

Quote

"Potts had been undertaking substantial outreach work with the homeless in which he prides himself with the work he undertakes on their behalf."

Judge Mark Hadfield said that he had seen a letter Potts had handed into the court about being asked to set off the fireworks, and that Potts claims he was doing it as a mark of respect.

But went on to say that when he was interviewed by a probation officer, he told them it was not your intention to cause alarm or distress.

Quote

 

"This appalling behaviour arose out of you being in possession of fireworks.

"Even if it is correct that you were handed them by another person, nobody in their right mind would think that letting them off in the middle of the ceremony shows a mark of respect.

"To the contrary, it shows a lack of respect."

 

The judge then told Potts that only a custodial sentence would be appropriate as he sent him to jail for 16 weeks for the public order offence. No separate penalty was added by the judge for setting off the fireworks. Potts shook his head as he walked away handcuffed and surrounded by two police officers to start his sentence.

Photo Credit: Simon Williams

Reverend Ross Garner from Churches Together In Eccles led the service and did a sterling performance considering certain events.

He told us about the first Eccles casualty of the Great War, James Holt, from Pym Street, Patricroft who died in 1915 aged 21 also mentioning other soldiers who had taken part reading from their letters they had sent home from the Western Front.

Tears filled people's eyes when Laurence Binyon's poem, For the Fallen was read out by Graham Walker, an ex-serviceman himself.

The Last Post was played expertly by 10 year old Oliver Tattersall who considering he is the youngest member of the Goodshaw Band, to his absolute credit performed it magnificently.

Wreaths were laid by numerous organisations including, RAOB, Blesma, Rotary Club, Merchant Navy, British Legion, GMP, Salford Council, Veterans Garage, Churches Together, RN Reserves, Scouts, Brownies, Guides and literally hundreds of small individual crosses were planted in the small memorial garden there.

I have to admit that there seems to be more and more people attending each year which is a good thing, also I have seen school parties laying home made wreaths prior to this event at the war memorial, a nice gesture which I appreciated.

Finally congratulations to the organiser, Graham Walker who arranged for safety barriers to be installed which enabled the marchers easier access to the memorial and also helped the onlookers to gain good vantage points.

Stuart David Potts born 10/7/81 of Borough Road, Salford has been charged with a public order offence and for firing fireworks in to a public place after a shocking display of disrespect at a remembrance day parade in Eccles on Sunday (10th November), he is due to appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court today (Monday 11 November 2019).

Shortly after 11.05am yesterday (Sunday 10 November 2019), police were called to reports of a disturbance at a pub on Church Street in Eccles.

Potts had allegedly fired rockets from the second floor window of a pub being used as a squat above the heads of the crowd gathered for the service during the two minute silence to remember the war dead and veterans.

Fortunately no one was injured during the incident, although it could have been a lot worse had the firework hit the crowds, many of whom were elderly veterans and children.

The callous act of stupidity has been condemned by the whole of Salford who have been left outraged at the thoughtless and disrespectful actions.

Photo Source : Tony Flynn

Eccles has been left in a state of shock after a serial squatter who is part of a group which have taken over a local pub, was witnessed aiming a rocket above the heads of the crowd gathered to pay their respects to the nations war dead.

As the chimes rang out at 11am on what was supposed to be a peaceful and tranquil day of remembrance for the market town, a rocket was fired from the second floor window of the boarded up Albert Edward pub which has since closure become a home to squatters claiming it as a homeless shelter.

When it comes to remembering those who were lost to war and conflict the proud people of Eccles never fail to turn out to pay their respects and display their pride for the fallen. Over the years the numbers that do so have risen exponentially and for the people of Eccles it has become a huge focal point of the local calendar. Both young and old gather on remembrance day and stand in silence as their thoughts are with those who selflessly gave their lives defending the nation from its enemies. This year however, that silence was disrespectfully broken by a single stupid individual.

Our reporter Tony Flynn was at the cenotaph to pay his own respects and could not believe the disrespectful scenes he had witnessed, he told us that he saw a man wearing camouflage clothing sat on the upper floor window ledge of the pub drinking from a can shortly before the incident. 

Just a few moments later the silence was broken as a firework screeched above the heads of the crowds of men, women and children who had turned out to honour the heroes.

From the tell-tale trail of smoke left behind in the sky it was obvious to all where it had originated from, the same upper window of the Albert Edward pub.

Tony told us that had it been aimed a little lower or had gone off course then it could have hit the crowds causing serious injuries.

Fortunately no one was injured in the attack but there were some within the crowd who were left visibly shaken as many were ex service men and women, some still suffering the devastating affects of PTSD as a result of the atrocities they had witnessed, others were young children that had gone with their families to pay their respects.

One lady described it as the most disrespectful act that the streets of Eccles have ever bore witness too, with some calling for the police to take action and close the squat immediately.

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"This was supposed to be a day to remember our heroic war dead, instead it was ruined by a single act of utter disrespect and idiocy.

"I am so proud of my town, we always come out to honour our armed services.

"For one disrespectful scumbag to ruin it for everyone is just shameful.

"He and his ilk are no longer welcome in this town or indeed in this City."

 

Other witnesses described how several furious service men angrily tried to force their way through a door into the pub but fortunately for the occupants they were stopped by the police. Tempers were frayed and the level of anger was at boiling point. If it was not for the fantastic job of the police in how they handled the situation, things could have easily escalated and gotten out of hand. Fortunately the crowd kept their composure and allowed the police to deal with the situation.

The man climbed onto the window ledge in an attempt to resist arrest but he was quickly pulled back in by police.

Another lady who did not wish to be identified told us,

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"I honestly can not believe how stupid I was, I donated to these people as I genuinely wanted to help, as did countless others who it seems have been duped as I have.

"I am not rich by any standard but the people of Salford are well known for putting their hands in their pockets to help those less fortunate, from now on I will be donating to local foodbanks."

 

Furious crowds looked on in disbelief, trying to understand just what had happened as chants of 'Get Him Out' rang out.

As they watched on, the man wearing combat clothing was marched shackled in handcuffs from the pub by police and placed into an awaiting police car to be taken away, the crowds then turned their anger towards those left in the pub demanding that they also be removed.

Calls were made by members of the public for the arrest of another individual who had been seen to spit at the veterans as they spoke to the police outside the pub.

GMP have since confirmed that a 38-year-old male has been now been arrested on suspicion of a public order offence and that he has been taken into custody for further questioning.

The situation still remains volatile with police stationed outside the Albert Edward to ensure the safety of those who are still holed up in the squat, whose occupants were recently the focus of a BBC news report into homelessness.

Those within the disused pub are claiming that they are occupying it as a pop up homeless shelter for vulnerable people and for the most part the fantastic people of Salford have been supportive of them, alas, over the past few months that support has dwindled due to a long list of dubious incidents reported by members of the public that have not exactly been too favourable to the plight of those using the shelter.

Despite all the disruption which had happened the good people of Eccles once more did our armed services proud, they picked up and carried on.

Anyone with information or video footage which could help the police with their enquiries should contact the police on 101 quoting incident number 1183 of 10/11/2019, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Photo: Tony Flynn

The airport has expressed concerns over the newly proposed 'huge' development which would be sited at the Eastern end of Anchorage Quay.

A four storey building which was once home to offices belonging to Barclay's bank is due to be demolished to make way for the Sky Scraper, however airport bosses have raised concerns over the height of the building which is planned to replace it.

As it stands, any building over the height of 90 metres has to be referred to the airport so they can determine if it will affect the safety of flight paths in the area. The proposed new building will exceed that limit and stand at 95 metres tall.

The airport will now have to decide if measures to mitigate the impact of the building will be required.

The block will contain approximately 290 apartments in what is deemed a high value area and so none of them would be required to be 'affordable'.

The developer has agreed an initial sum of £1.3 million in section 106 fee's which would be split between local parks and infrastructure works at the nearby Weaste Cemetery as well as improvement works within Salford Quays and along Broadway as well as £70,000 which would go towards a parking permit scheme on designated streets in the Broadway area.

The planning department has recommended the development be passed at a meeting on Thursday so long as the expected cash is forthcoming.

Although the documents state that,

Quote

“Importantly, the exact sums payable cannot be determined until such time as final apartment numbers and the dwelling mix are confirmed.”

The new building has been described as a landmark and a gateway to the Quays by developers but some environmentalists have adopted the words of the Prince of Wales to describe it as a 'monstrous carbuncle' which is not needed.

The 55 year old from Eccles ignored polite requests, official warnings and a legal notice to carry on blasting out dance music and playing his bass guitar until 3am.

Even when council officers seized hundreds of pounds worth of stereo equipment, a large screen television and speakers – he replaced it all with more speakers, another tv, amplifiers and a bass guitar, and carried on making a noise. Council officers executed another warrant and seized that equipment.

Magistrates were told the noise continued during the working week as well as at weekends.

Now they have backed the council’s application for the first ever criminal behaviour order against statutory noise nuisance in Greater Manchester. The order lasts five years and prevents the man from playing music or permitting music to be played at a level that can heard outside his property. They warned him that if he breaches the order he could be arrested and jailed.

Councillor David Lancaster, lead member for environment and community safety, said:

Quote

 

“This is an unprecedented case which could have been avoided with a bit of neighbourly consideration. If he had complied with the first polite request to keep the noise down none of this would have been necessary.

“We will always try to resolve noise complaints without resorting to the law but if people refuse to be reasonable and considerate then we will use our full powers. It is the first time we have used a criminal behaviour order to tackle noise nuisance but, if need be, it will not be the last time we use these powers. We will be monitoring the property and I hope the gentleman fully appreciates if he breaches the order he could be jailed. We will have no hesitation in going back to court if this nuisance doesn’t stop.”

 

Magistrates were told that complaints began early in 2019 and council officers went to speak to the man. At first he accepted he was being unreasonable but monitoring equipment showed the noise nuisance continued. As a result he was issued with an abatement notice, which he ignored.

In June environmental protection officers from Salford City Council got a warrant, entered the property and seized stereo equipment, numerous speakers and a large screen television, worth in total £959. 

The man then replaced all the equipment and the noise continued. Council officers again used a warrant to seize equipment including a bass guitar, amplifier speakers and another large screen television, worth in total £580. 

He again replaced all the equipment and continued to play music at unacceptable levels into the early hours.

The man was summonsed to court in October and found guilty in his absence, of eight breaches of an abatement notice issued under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Magistrates fined him £330 per offence – a total of £2,640, ordered him to pay a £30 victim surcharge and to forfeit the seized equipment.

On Wednesday November 6 the man unsuccessfully applied to the court to have the conviction set aside and the trial reheard. Magistrates reduced the level of the original fine from to £50 per offence, imposed a £30 victim surcharge and made an order for £1,500 costs against him.

The total amount payable of £110,682 was split between the offenders and they were ordered to pay this back on Wednesday 7 November 2019 at Manchester Crown Court, under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA)

Ryan Ratcliffe (26/03/1990) of Acer Grove, Salford was ordered to pay or face a further 10 months in prison. He had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis and conspiracy to produce cannabis and was sentenced on Friday 21 December 2018 to seven years and four months in prison.

Benjamin Harding (10/08/1991) of Bennet Drive, Salford was ordered to pay or face a further 10 months in prison. He had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis and conspiracy to produce cannabis and was sentenced on Friday 21 December 2018 to seven years and two months in prison. 

Amanda McCurdy (29/05/1973) of New Devonshire Square, Salford was ordered to pay or face a further 10 months in prison. She had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis and conspiracy to produce cannabis and was sentenced on Friday 21 December 2018 to four years and four months in prison.

Joshua Williams (15/06/1990) of Milan Street, Salford was ordered to pay or face a further eight months in prison. He had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis, conspiracy to produce cannabis, possession of cannabis with intent to supply and possession of amphetamine with intent to supply and was sentenced on Friday 21 December 2018 to six years in prison.

Marie Ratcliffe (25/03/1972) of Acer Grove, Salford was ordered to pay or face a further seven days in prison. She had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis and conspiracy to produce cannabis and was sentenced on Friday 21 December 2018 to four years two months in prison.  

Stephen Ratcliffe (22/06/1969) of St Brelades Drive, Salford was ordered to pay or face a further seven days in prison. He had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis and conspiracy to produce cannabis and was sentenced on Friday 21 December 2018 to four years and eight months in prison. 

Benjamin Pickles (26/09/1991) of Argyle Street, Heywood was ordered to pay or face a further seven days in prison. He had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis and conspiracy to produce cannabis and was sentenced on Friday 21 December 2018 to five years and two months in prison.

The conspiracy is estimated to have produced 100kg of cannabis, with a street value of £700,000.

The enterprise was masterminded by Ryan Ratcliffe and Ben Harding, who were both serving inmates at HMP Magilligan in Northern Ireland throughout the period of the conspiracy.

Detective Inspector Andrew Buckthorpe, of GMP’s City of Manchester Division, said:

Quote

 

“The decision at Wednesday’s hearing comes as a result of months of hard work by officers and financial investigators, dedicated to making these offenders pay for the gloom their drug businesses inflicted on law-abiding members of the public.

“I hope this serves as a deterrent to those people who wish to pursue this illicit line of work by showing them that not only will we be coming for you to lock you up, but also to hit you directly in the pocket.

“Continuing to tackle the influx of drugs in the area will remain a top priority for GMP and we will do all we can to bring offenders to justice, however we cannot do this alone and I would appeal directly to the community to please come forward with any information that could assist us in what continues to be an ongoing operation.”

 

On the 27 July 2017, police were called to reports of a disturbance at an address on Crab Lane in Blackley.

The house was searched and it was found to contain 61 cannabis plants, as well as a selection of equipment used in the cultivation of the drug including lights, fans, transformers, fertiliser, thermometers and compost.

While in prison Ryan Ratcliffe had instructed a close associate, Joshua Williams, to run the cannabis farm. At the property there was evidence of at least four previous cannabis crops having been grown. Each crop would have been capable of producing up to 7 kg of cannabis, and each kilo sold for between £5,300 and £5,500 – bringing the estimated value of cannabis growth at this property to over £150,000.

Ryan Ratcliffe also recruited his mother, Marie Ratcliffe, to help facilitate the conspiracy. She assisted with paying the rent on the Crab Lane property and she paid the other people involved on behalf of her son.

In November 2017, officers executed warrants at addresses in Salford and Heywood and discovered two further cannabis farms. Two men involved in cultivating and supplying the drugs, Benjamin Pickles and Stephen Ratcliffe, were arrested inside the addresses.

Throughout the conspiracy, co-accused Amanda McCurdy was involved in the production of cannabis, acting as a financial support for the operation and involved in the supply of the drug. She was arrested following the discovery of over £16,000 worth of cannabis at a property on New Devonshire Square in Salford.

For a local community suffering the harsh realities and impacts of austerity, they have been an essential lifeline, sadly they are now under the very real prospects of potential closure if funding and new premises can not be found within the next four months.

Within the last 12 months there have been 5,741 three-day emergency food parcels handed out to struggling families in Salford, a substantial increase of 24% on the previous year.

It is utterly heartbreaking to think that in this day and age there are still people struggling to make ends meet and to put food on the table but this is the sad reality of the world we live in.

Now the future of the food-banks is in jeopardy and their fate will be decided at a public stakeholder meeting held at the Go Church in Salford Quays at 5:30pm - 7:00pm on the 14th of November.

Anyone with ideas, experience in funding or fundraising, skills to offer or who wants to be part of the solution is invited to join the meeting, where attendees will come up with positive actions to ensure its survival.

In April 2019, Salford Food-bank faced a huge challenge when it didn’t secure crucial funding to meet increased demand.

Salford Food-bank is run by two part-time staff and 70 volunteers who process and give out around 35 tons of donated food annually. However, its largest monthly costs are staff salaries and its premises.

Salford Food-bank has its main food bank centre and food store at Christ Central, Mocha Parade in Lower Broughton but due to redevelopment, new premises will need to be found by early 2020 for it to remain open, so the charity welcomes suggestions of low-cost space for rent.

Food-bank trustee Naomi Whitman says:

Quote

 

“Salford Foodbank has been a lifeline for over 20,000 people in Salford since it opened in 2012. What would happen to those families in our community who are locked in poverty if the food bank were to close is a stark prospect.

The staff and trustees have worked tirelessly to keep the food bank running, keeping costs low and relying on generous donations from the community and smaller funds. Sadly we’ll have no choice but to close if a solution is not found on 14th November.”

 

Go Church, Studio4, Dallas Court, Salford M50 2GF
Refreshments Provided
Sign up here.

If you are unable to attend the meeting but are able to help, please email: engagement@salford.foodbank.org.uk
A phone call can be arranged with team member.

Four people have been charged with proceeds of crime offences relating to thefts of electronic equipment worth over £250,000 from HMP Forrest Bank.

Aidan Bligh (19/03/1981) of Billington Avenue, Rossendale has been charged with theft and proceeds of crime offences.

Paul Hewitt (08/03/1979) of James Street in Radcliffe has been charged with theft and proceeds of crime offences.

Paul Albertsen (28/10/1978) of Easton Close in Middleton has been charged with theft and proceeds of crime offences.

Samantha Bligh (28/12/1979) of Billington Avenue, Rossendale has been charged with proceeds of crime offences.

This is not the first time that there have been thefts from HMP Forrest Bank, back in November 2018, two staff members were imprisoned after stealing £100,000 worth of electrical equipment from the category B prison.

All will appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court on Wednesday 13th November 2019.

The source of the unknown pollutant is not yet known but it is seemingly affecting parts of the River Roch and further downstream into the River Irwell where a layer of white foam can be seen.

Fortunately the foam has quickly started to dissipate since earlier this morning when it was first spotted and reported on social media.

Salford Council has responded by saying that investigations are now underway to determine the source, it has also been advised that members of the public do not handle the foam until the source can be determined.

There have been concerns raised about wildlife in the river but so far it would seem that have been no reports.

We have received reports of white foam in the River Irwell. We have informed @EnvAgencyNW who are now on their way to site to investigate. We have asked to be kept informed of developments and will advise residents accordingly.

— Salford City Council (@SalfordCouncil) November 5, 2019

The EA has a 24hr incident hotline to report environmental issues 0800 80 70 60.

Image: @MerseyRivers

The Salford Quay’s based company who have been trading since 1971 also won the Inspiring Young People Award.

Seven Bro7hers Brewery scooped Small Business of the Year. The family run business, who are just about to open their second beerhouse in Middlewood Locks, were originally inspired by their dad’s home brew and their love for craft beer. They were also triumphant in the ‘Innovation Award’ for their collaboration with cereals giant Kellogg’s.

The Awards, now in its eleventh year, are organised in partnership between the University of Salford, The Business Group and Salford City Council. They provide an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the successes of Salford-based businesses over the last twelve months. Nine awards are offered which are sponsored by local businesses and business supporters.

Businesses of all sizes and across different sectors competed to win the coveted Small Business of the Year and Large Business of the Year awards, which are awarded to businesses that have shown excellence and outstanding achievements in all aspects of their operations.

Other winners included Zymurgorium, Britannia Anchor Removals, Oakwood and Mason Advisory who were winners of the ‘Excellence Award’.

Winners from the nine award categories were honoured at a glittering ceremony, hosted by Elaine Willcox last night at the Lowry Hotel.

Paul Wainwright, chair, The Business Group said:

Quote

 

“It has been fantastic to celebrate with so many wonderful businesses providing our communities with vital services, training our young people, promoting our arts & culture and building infrastructure that we will rely upon long into the future. Every single one of our finalists should be extremely proud of the work they do across the city and beyond.

“As Salford looks towards becoming a Living Wage City it is particularly pleasing to see that our Large Business of the Year winner is an accredited Living Wage Employer creating meaningful jobs that bring value to the whole city. We owe our sponsors and partners a huge thank you for their support in making this year’s event a success.”

 

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said: 

Quote

 

“Congratulations goes to all those businesses who entered this year’s Salford’s Business Awards, they have showcased their amazing talent and innovation, whilst inspiring young people in our city along with the great products and services they provide.

“Behind every great business are well-motivated staff and workers committed to our City and its continuing successes. Thank you, we are proud of you all.”

 

Jo Purves. Pro-Vice-Chancellor International and Regional Partnerships at The University of Salford said:

Quote

 

“As demonstrated in our recently published socio economic impact report ‘Salford Untold’, the University plays a major part in the social and economic wellbeing of Salford both as an employer and provider of skills to support local business growth.

“We are therefore delighted to continue to work alongside Salford City Council and The Business Group Salford as a proud sponsor of Salford Business Awards. The fact that this is the 11th year of the awards bears testament to the high quality of local businesses and their key contribution to ensuring that the economy of Salford continues to prosper.”

 

Two men arrested following a police incident on Deansgate in Manchester City Centre last night (Wednesday 30 October 2019) have been released from custody without charge.

Following a thorough investigation of the circumstances, police are satisfied that the incident was not terrorism-related.

Shortly after 2.30pm on Wednesday 30 October 2019, police were called to reports of two men wearing balaclavas and acting suspiciously on Chapel Street in Salford.

A precautionary cordon was put in place on Deansgate and an assessment was carried out of suspicious items found in a car.

Items included a replica police uniform and replica police baton and utility belt.

Further items were found that required assessment by bomb disposal officers. Following assessment, it was confirmed that the items represented no danger to the public.

Those arrested – men aged 57 and 22 and both from Greater Manchester – were initially uncooperative at the scene and failed to provide a reasonable explanation for their behaviour.

As part of enquiries, police searched a property on Stream Terrace, Offerton.

Assistant Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, Nick Bailey, said:

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“Currently, police are treating this as irresponsible behaviour that has quite rightly been reported as suspicious by members of the public.

“I would like to thank those people who provided the police information and would remind people to remain vigilant.

“Enquiries as to whether any non-terror-related criminal offences were committed remain ongoing.”

 

People can report suspicious activity by contacting the police in confidence on 0800 789 321 or report it online at act.campaign.gov.uk

In an emergency, or if you need urgent police assistance, always dial 999.

Shortly after 2:30pm this afternoon (30 October 2019), a vigilant member of the public alerted Greater Manchester Police after spotting two men acting suspiciously on Chapel Street.

Police responded swiftly to the call and the two men were arrested close-by after a range rover was stopped on Deansgate.

Both men were subsequently taken into custody for questioning on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

Police have now put road closures in place around Deansgate after finding suspicious items in the vehicle.

Army bomb disposal officers are liasing with police to identify the items.

Deansgate is currently closed to traffic and pedestrians from the Chester Road roundabout and diversions are in place. 

Commuters are being told to avoid the area if possible as there will be long delays due to congestion.

A spokseperson for GMP said,

Quote

A road closure is currently in place on Deansgate in the city centre.

Shortly after 2.30pm today (Wednesday 30 October 2019), police were called to reports of two men acting suspiciously on Chapel Street in Salford.

Officers swiftly attended and two men were arrested nearby after a Range Rover was stopped on Deansgate. They remain in custody for questioning on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

A precautionary cordon is currently in place around the Range Rover on Deansgate after suspicious items were discovered in the car.

Officers leading the investigation are liaising with bomb disposal officers in order to identify these items.

Deansgate is currently closed from Chester Road roundabout and diversions are in place. Commuters are advised to avoid the area where possible due to congestion.

Police have stressed that there is no evidence to suggest any threat to the public at this time and they are keeping an open mind as to the nature of the incident.

No further details on the men have so far been released and enquiries are currently ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting incident number 1558 of October 30, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police are looking for Jason Britton (09/10/1991) who is wanted in connection with a recall to prison that was issued in December 2018 after being jailed in July 2015 for robbery.

He is known to have links to Salford, Lancashire and Scotland.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Jason Britton is asked to contact police on 0161 856 5414 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

The attempted kidnap happened outside HMP Forest Bank in Agecroft at around 10:30am on Tuesday 29th October.

Four masked men in a car pulled in front of the private hire vehicle as it left the prison and headed back into Manchester along Agecroft Road.

Two of the men then got out carrying shotguns and walked over to the taxi to check the identity of the occupants, two prison staff members and a 'high-risk' ex offender who was being escorted to a half-way house.

After confirming the identity of the former prisoner inside they walked back to their vehicle and left the scene. It is thought that it was not the target they were looking for.

Prison staff were immediately contacted to ensure that the real target was not scheduled to leave.

An investigation is now underway.

GMP have issued the following statement on the incident,

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"At around 10.26am on the morning of (Tuesday 29 October 2019), police were called to reports of suspicious circumstances at HMP Forest Bank, Agecroft.

"Initial enquiries have established that four men – at least two of which were armed with guns – surrounded a vehicle as it left the premises. 

"After approaching the vehicle, the men made off. 

"No injuries were reported to police and no arrests have been made.

"Enquiries are ongoing."

 

Anyone with information should contact police on 101, quoting incident 789 of 29/10/19. Reports can also be made anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 

If you were around Pendleton & Langworthy this afternoon you may have noticed the strong smell of Gas in the air.

At around 2:20pm this afternoon an alert was triggered in the area around Churchill Way in Pendleton, a local medical centre, job centre and a religious building were all evacuated as a precaution, no leak was found. 

Within 7 minutes, another alert was triggered at the Future Skills Centre on Dokota Avenue in South Langworthy.

Students were evacuated along with staff and workers in surrounding buildings but again the source of the apparent leak could not be located.

Extraordinarily, yet another alert was triggered at 2:34pm by residents in Strawberry Road in Pendleton, once more there was no trace of a leak to be found.

After extensive investigations the locations were given the all clear and reopened, with a source within the Fire Service saying that they suspect it was a gas cloud which had passed over parts of the City, the origin of which seems to still be a mystery.

Salford Council tweeted about the incident,

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"Pendleton Gateway & buildings nearby were evacuated at approximately 3pm due to a suspected gas leak."

"Pendleton Gateway has been given the all clear for staff to return to the building.

"Services will be back up and running in the next few minutes."

 

If you smell gas in or around your home, do not hesitate to contact the National Gas Emergencies number immediately on 0800 111 999.

If you're at home, and you can do it safely, turn off your gas supply.

The gas mains tap should be beside your gas meter.

A natural gas leak in your home can potentially kill you.

That sulfuric, rotten egg odor that signals a natural gas leak isn't an ordinary component of the carbon-hydrogen compound.

Consequently, a natural gas leak can increase the risk of fire and explosion since it spreads quickly and combusts easily.

It is always best to be safe than sorry.

At around 12.40pm on Sunday 27 October 2019, Emergency Services were called to Broad Street to reports of a collision involving one car – a dark silver BMW.

The vehicle had crashed through a barrier at the Pendleton roundabout on Broad Street and then ended up on its side at the bottom of the underpass.

Emergency services attended and a 32-year-old man and 30-year-old woman were taken to hospital with serious injuries. Despite best efforts from emergency services the woman was sadly pronounced dead a short time later.

The man remains in hospital in a stable condition.

Pendleton roundabout was closed in the direction of Manchester – but this has since reopened.

Enquiries as to how the accident happened are still ongoing.

DC Diana Dyer-Barron, of GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said:

Quote

 

“This is a tragic set of circumstances that has left a man fighting for his life in hospital and a woman sadly dead. Specialist officers are with their families and supporting them through this horrific time.

“This happened at a busy time of day, so I would like to take this opportunity to make a direct plea to anyone who may have seen anything that can assist our enquiries. We’re particularly keen to speak to anyone witnesses with dash cam footage who saw the BMW in the lead up to the collision. If you have any information that could help - please get in touch as a matter of urgency.”

 

Anybody with information should call GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4741, quoting incident number 1576 of 27/10/19. Reports can also be made anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Fire crews were called at around 1:40pm this afternoon after reports of a fire at a housing on Wellington Street East, Broughton, in the heart of Salford's Jewish community.

What is thought to be the mother and two of her children managed to escape and alert the authorities, three other children at the property were rescued by fire crews shortly afterwards and taken to hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation as a precaution.

Fortunately no one was seriously injured in the blaze and fire service personnel believe the fire was started either accidentally in the kitchen or due to an electrical fault such as an overloaded plug socket.

Firefighters fought hard to ensure the fire did not spread to other properties and are said to have contained and extinguished it quickly.

At around 12:40pm (Sunday 27 October 2019) Police, Fire and Ambulances were called to the scene of a horrific accident in which a dark Silver BMW car appears to have crashed through the barrier at the roundabout on Broad Street in Pendleton after colliding with a piece of street furniture.

The vehicle came to a rest on its side in the underpass at the opening of one of the subway tunnels.

It is thought that two occupants (a male and a female) were recovered from the vehicle by passers-by before medics arrived but police have not yet issued further details regarding their well-being. They were treated by NWAS at the scene before being taken to a nearby hospital via ambulance.

Roads in the area will closed for several hours and bus services and motor vehicles have been diverted along alternative routes. Drivers are being asked to avoid Pendleton roundabout if possible due to traffic delays around the scene.

Routes 34/38/50. Diversion in both directions via Broad Street, Cross Lane, Churchill Way. This is due to a Police incident at Pendleton Roundabout. Services are not able to serve stops between Pendleton roundabout and McDonalds on Broad St pic.twitter.com/7bKdVsFlc0

— Stagecoach GM (@StagecoachGM) October 27, 2019

Image: Google