The mother of a young man who was stabbed to death in Tameside is appealing for people to ‘bin the blade’ as part of a week-long knife surrender.

Rhian Jones’ son Dominic Doyle tragically lost his life when he was stabbed during a night out in Denton. He was just 21 years old when he died.

Desperate to stop any other family suffering the same pain, his mother Rhian is supporting Greater Manchester Police’s knife surrender.

The surrender, which takes place 21 – 27 November, will see dedicated bins placed into 11 police stations in Greater Manchester.

Knives – including illegal weapons or any other unwanted bladed instruments - can be dropped off in the bins safely and anonymously, with no questions asked.

Rhian Jones said: “I want to support the ‘Bin the Blade’ campaign because my 21 year old son Dominic Doyle was killed by a gang of knife wielding youths.

“It was an unprovoked attack, which took away my only child.

“As part of the campaign I want to speak directly to the mums of these youths carrying knives. Be open and honest with them and talk to them about carrying knives.

“Please don't think it will never happen to you because that's what I thought and it could be you burying your son or daughter next time because someone was carrying a knife.

“This needs to stop, we need to get the knives off the streets. Please support the campaign - bin the blade and save a life.”

Detective Chief Inspector Debbie Dooley from the Xcalibre Task Force at GMP said: “Knives pose a serious risk within our communities and the more we can take off our streets, the greater chance we have of saving lives.

“We don’t want any other family to go through the pain and suffering that Rhian and her family have had to endure and we appeal to residents to take this opportunity to hand in their blades safely and anonymously.”

Deputy Police and Commissioner Jim Battle said: “Campaigns like this have proved successful in the past, taking hundreds of knives off our streets before they fall into the wrong hands. Now we ask the people of Greater Manchester to once again look to their consciences, do the right thing and bin the blade. Please take this opportunity to get rid of your blades anonymously and continue to work with us to make our streets safer for future generations.”

Monday 21 November – Sunday 27 November

Drop your knives off at one of the police stations below.

No questions asked

Safe, quick and easy

Anonymous     

Special bins in enquiry counters

Open 8 am – 11 pm Daily

Central Park, Northampton Road, Manchester, M40 5BP 0161 856 3529

Longsight Police Station, Grindlow Street, Longsight, M13 0LL 0161 856 4229

Swinton Police Station, Chorley Road, Swinton, M27 6BA 0161 856 5229

Ashton Police Station, Manchester Road, Ashton, OL7 0BQ 0161 856 9329

Cheadle Heath Police Station, Spectrum Way, SK3 0SA 0161 856 9829

Bolton Police Station, Scholey Street, off Manchester Road, Bolton, BL2 1HD 0161 856 5629

Wigan Police Station, Robin Park Way, Wigan, WN5 0UP 0161 856 7128

Stretford Police Station, Talbot Road, Stretford, M32 0UX 0161 856 7629

Bury Police Station, Dunster Road, Bury, BL9 0RD 0161 856 8129

Rochdale Police Station, The Esplanade, Rochdale, OL16 1AG 0161 856 8529

Oldham Police Station, Barn Street, Oldham, OL1 1LR 0161 856 8929

#BinTheBlade

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Borough: Salford

Incident Date: 21 November 2016

COMMUTERS are being warned to expect delays after firefighters were called to a severe flat fire at Millennium Tower, Salford Quays this morning, Monday, November 21.

Crew were sent to the high-rise block of flats at 7.30am following reports of a flat on the fourth floor which was well alight.

On arrival firefighters found the flat well alight and began searching the property in breathing apparatus.

A number of residents have been treated for smoke inhalation and control operators from North West Fire Control have been giving residents advice helping them stay safe while they remain in their homes.

Station Manager Steve Forster said: “Firefighters and control operators have been working tirelessly this morning to keep residents in Millennium Tower safe.

“The fire has now been dealt with, but there is a lot of smoke logging in the building and we are working to clear this now.

“This incident will cause delays to traffic in the area for some time and we’d like to thank commuters for their patience.

“The Quays will stay closed for the next few hours and traffic in the surrounding area is starting to build up.

“The Metrolink is still operating to Media City, but the number 50 bus service will be disrupted.” 

Update 09:50: Fire now out and roads to be reopened in the next hour.

Firefighters are currently attending a blaze at millennium tower at Salford  Quays. The alarm was raised shortly after 7am and emergency services were quick to respond.

Diversions are currently in place around the area and fire crews are expecting them to remain for the duration of the morning.

its currently unclear how the fire started but we will update you as soon as more info emerges.

Updated 14:02|Roads now reopened.

Updated 01:02|

Updated 00:44|

Manchester Fire services confirm the fire is now under control, they will not no the cause till later this morning so we will do further updates then.

Updated 00:30 |

Updated 00:20 | Several appliances are now starting to leave the scene as the blaze seems to be being brought under control and they are no longer needed.

Updated 00:04 |  

Updated 23:58 | 2 more engines have turned up to tackle the blaze, local sources say damage is considerable. Still no news of any casualties so with luck it will stay that way.

Updated 23:30 | Two engines have arrived to assist with ladders, no news on casualties as yet, hopefully it will stay that way. Members of the congregation have started to gather outside the church to join Church Elders and Leaders in prayer as the firefighters try to bring the blaze under control as soon as possible. Memorial Road currently closed.

Firefighters from several stations have been drafted in to tackle a large fire at a church on Memorial Road in Walkden.

Crews currently at a church on fire in Stanley Road in Walkden. Pumps from Agecroft, Eccles, Farnworth, Atherton and Leigh in attendance.

— Manchester Fire (@manchesterfire) November 20, 2016

Appliances and staff are still in attendance and so far the cause of the blaze has not been established.

@airgirl999 we’ll provide an update when we can.

— Manchester Fire (@manchesterfire) November 20, 2016

At 11.50pm on Friday 18 November 2016, a green Skoda Octavia collided with a pedestrian, a 38-year-old woman, on Lower Broughton Road, near to the junction of Frederick Road.

The woman was taken to hospital where she is being treated for a serious head injury and is in a life-threatening condition.

The man driving the Skoda was uninjured.

Police Constable Paul Hailwood of GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: “Our thoughts are with the woman’s family at this distressing time.

“We have launched an investigation to establish the circumstances if the collision and I would urge anyone who saw what happened, to get in touch as a matter of urgency.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4742, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

A Salford man who sexually abused young girls has been jailed for 15 years.

The court heard how Donlon subjected three victims to a catalogue of abuse spanning from 1983 to 2001.

This included three counts of attempted rape, six counts of indecent assault and one count of indecency with a child - all on girls as young as seven years old.

Donlon made one child victim, who he sexually abused over a period of five years, perform sexual acts on him in return for money or cigarettes, whilst on another occasion he held a young girl down and attempted to rape her.

When one of the victims bravely told police what had happened an investigation was launched and the full extent of Donlon’s offending was revealed.

Donlon was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life and was given a 20 year sexual harm prevention order which will begin when he is released from prison.

Detective Constable Victoria Burgess, from GMP’s Public Protection Investigation Unit, said: “Donlon is a cowardly bully who abused young vulnerable girls for his own perverse gratification.

“He showed no remorse for his actions and lied throughout the investigation but the jury saw through the deceit.

“What these women went through as young girls is unimaginable and although this sentence will not change what has happened, I hope it brings them some comfort.”

A teenage girl was subjected to a prolonged sexual assault in Salford.

Jason Bailey from Salford appeared at Manchester Crown Court yesterday for aggravated burglary, possession of class A drugs and the handling stolen goods. 

He has been sentenced to 6 years 9 months and must pay a £170 fine.

The UK Met Office has issued warnings of wintry showers, high winds, snow and ice over the next couple of days.

As if getting out of bed in the morning was not bad enough it seems that there is a chance we may have to defrost car windscreens and put the heating on an hour before we sit on toilet seats for the next couple of days.

Wrap up warm, take care on the roads and please look out for elderly neighbours.

This Evening and Tonight:

There'll be further showers tonight with clear spells. Cold with frost in sheltered spots, but snow is likely over the hills, leading to some icy patches by the morning. Minimum Temperature 0 °C.

Friday:

After a crisp start there will be sunny spells tomorrow. There'll be further showers, again with the risk of hail, thunder and hill snow, and the winds will ease. Maximum Temperature 7 °C.

The victim was rushed to Salford Royal Hospital by emergency services and treated for the serious injuries inflicted to his neck.

Police say it is still unclear how the man came to be in this condition and an investigation is on going to establish the exact circumstances.

Update 23:11 | Cordon now lifted and people back in their homes.

Update 21:06 | It is being reported that it is a ruptured gas pipe and residents in surrounding homes have been evacuated until it can be made safe, teams are on site and are carrying out repairs with the ETA expected to be 1.5 hours.

Greater Manchester Emergency services are responding to a 'Major' gas leak on Gerald Road, several homes have been evacuated as a precaution, part of the area has been cordoned off and a strong smell of gas is reported in the air.

The incident is still on going.

It is increasingly looking like Salfordians wanting to view the Super Moon this evening will miss out on natures spectacle due to predicted low visibility and bad weather conditions.

To see cloud cover on the globe bellow just click the cloud cover icon. (Courtesy of Meteoearth.com)

Amazing #supermoon time-lapse pic.twitter.com/11XdOfJSWU

— cyriak harris (@cyriakharris) November 14, 2016

Tonight will see the Moon make its closest approach to earth (perigee) since 1948, with the next time the moon being this close on the 25th November 2034.

To observers, it will appear about 7% larger than normal and about 15% brighter - although the human eye is barely able to discern that difference.

The lower on the horizon the moon is then the larger it will appear due to atmospheric lensing effects.

Skywatchers in Salford will have to hope for a break in the clouds but the prospects are not looking good at the moment as the weather men predict conditions are to be less than perfect.

Tonight will be a mild night, remaining cloudy with extensive hill fog. There will be further patchy rain but this will become more persistent and widespread by morning. Minimum Temperature will be around 7 °C.

Fire services attended the scene of a caravan fire in Hankinson Way this morning.

Wearing breathing apparatus firefighters used a hose reel to tackle the fire, which was unoccupied.

Crew members attended the incident for around an hour.

The fire is thought to have been started deliberately as an act of Arson.

Anyone with information or witnesses should call police on 101 and quote log number 162/141116 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. All calls treated in confidence. 

Chief Constable Ian Hopkins was speaking at the launch of a major operation to catch those who disregard the safety of other road users. The initiative will see officers targeting the main routes around Greater Manchester to enforce the law and educate drivers.

From Monday 14 November officers will be using undercover and marked police vehicles to catch people and the operation will continue throughout the coming weeks and in the run up to Christmas. It is supporting a national week of action to highlight the risks and make people aware of the serious penalties that they will face.

Ian said: “It is time for drivers to take personal responsibility for what they do when in charge of a vehicle. The consequences of using a mobile while behind the wheel are huge and can lead to people being seriously injured or killed. It leaves families devastated and we must stop it now.

“No-one would think of getting into a car with someone who has been drinking alcohol in the driving seat so why would you put yourself at risk when someone uses a mobile. We can all make a difference by urging people to think about their actions.

“Parents would never drink and drive with their children in the car, so they should never use a mobile when driving. The message is simple put it out of sight until you have finished your journey. Avoid the temptation by putting it in a bag, the boot of your car or the glove box.

“We can all play our part to make this as unacceptable as drink driving. I am calling on the manufacturers of cars and mobile phones to work together to introduce technology that will prevent people using phones when driving except through hands free kits.”

From next year, new penalties will be in place seeing drivers get six points on their licence and a £200 spot fine for using a mobile phone while driving.

More than 5,000 drivers in Greater Manchester have been given fixed penalty notices or sent on a mobile phone awareness course in the past two years. Traffic officers believe those numbers are just the tip of the iceberg with an increasing number of people being spotted driving and using their mobile phones.

GMP will also be raising awareness of the issue through social media and calling on people to consider what they are doing. It is part of a #wrongfortheroad campaign that will continue to target unacceptable behaviour on the roads of Greater Manchester. To support the initiative a Twitterchat will be held with traffic officers on Thursday 17 November.

Anyone with details of persistent offenders who are driving and using their mobile should contact local officers or call 101 with details.

Animal Lovers are once more set to protest outside Dogs4Us this coming Sunday 20th November at 1pm, as MP's are to demand new laws to put an end to the barbaric trade in farmed puppies later this week. The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs committee will seek a ban on the sale of puppies by pet shops and online deals.

This comes as the 'industry' in farmed puppies has been put under the spotlight this year after an investigation by the BBC, which came after a previous investigation in 2009 by Sky News who ran a report which drew attention to the mass breeding of pedigree pups on an industrial scale, pups which are then sold on via pet shops around the UK as well as online.

The report highlighted the horrific conditions that both mothers and pups were living in and called for the government to do something about it.

During the investigation Dogs4Us were named and alleged to be one of the pet shops being supplied by Maes Brynn in Caernarfonshire, Wales, just one of several farms which were also alleged to have been supplying the company. Dogs4Us responded in a statement saying that all pups they purchase come from registered and licensed breeders whose premises are inspected by local authorities.

Warning: Some of the scenes in the videos bellow are distressing so we advise you to please not view them if they will upset you.

Scroll forward to May 2016 and once more Dogs4Us are back in the public eye again as the BBC's Panorama took up the case once more and pushed the investigation even further with heart breaking results.

As part of the show reporters made a visit under cover of darkness to one farm in Ireland where reporters discovered Sickening scenes of puppies and their mothers bound for Britain's pet shops locked up in tiny wooden crates like battery hens.

The investigation focused on the business of Mr Eric Hale who ran a farm in Co Armagh, Ireland, during which dogs were found living in filthy conditions, with no suitable bedding; sawdust in food and water; dogs giving birth in boxes; no disease control and no ventilation or sunlight available.

Many of the dogs in the program can only be described as 'puppy conveyor belts' as their sole purpose in life is to produce as many litters as possible.

Mr Hale was licenced by the local authority and as one of the largest dog breeders in the country had over 120 breeding bitches on site, many of which were transported on the night ferry over to Britain and then transported across the country to as far north as Scotland to be sold to dealers.

Many of those animals were later sold on via internet trading sites and via pet shops. Huge profits can be made as demand for pups is at an all-time high and much sought after breeds can bring in huge profits for all involved. One single breeding bitch can produce litters worth tens of thousands of pounds over their sad life time.

Dogs4Us dispute claims made in the program and issued a statement saying that all their pups come from reputable dealers and all parent animals are on record and are traceable.   Their website also states that the company purchases from licensed breeders, it has announced and unannounced inspections, and that it is licensed to sell puppies.

Dogs4Us slammed the links with puppy farming as “utter nonsense”.

A statement that appeared on their website read.

Quote

 

“We feel at Dogs 4 Us that it is time to set the record straight in relation to various pet forums that have sprung up on the internet.

“This very small percentage of people in the U.K. who are trying to discredit our good name by linking us with puppy farms. This is utter nonsense and does not represent what Dogs 4 Us is all about.

“We pride ourselves on the customer service we offer. Many customers are so pleased with the service they receive they come back again and again, they also recommend us to their family and friends. We have also had quite a few celebrity customers too!”

 

One of those protesting is Nicola Robinson a former employee of Dogs 4 Us for four years, working her way up to deputy store manager left acrimoniously in 2012 after a dispute with other members of staff.

She said she quit after seeing the conditions the puppies were being subjected to and how the store took in pups from dealers at younger than eight weeks – too young to be transported under UK law.

Quote

'Many a times I’ve sat in the back cradling a dog while the dog’s dying', she said.

In the program she presented evidence of illnesses and complaints by customers of the store.

The protest on Sunday is just one of many that have been staged over the past year and campaigners vow to keep on campaigning until the puppy farming trade is put out of business and banned for good.

We will leave it to your own judgement but in my opinion in general this kind of trade should be banned and shut down immediately, sadly the sale of puppies in pet shops remains legal.

We have included some links below for further reading/viewing...

http://www.dogs4usfacts.com/

http://www.loveyourpuppy.co.uk/1/dogs-4-us-setting-the-record-straight

https://www.facebook.com/BoycottDogs4Us/

He held the knife to the woman’s face and ordered her to hand over any money she had. He then raped her at knifepoint.

The man left the address sometime later and police were called.

The offender is described as white, aged somewhere in his 20’s to 30’s and of medium build with dark hair. He spoke with a local accent and was wearing a dark hooded top or coat with dark coloured bottoms.

Detective Inspector Carl Gilbert of GMP’s Trafford borough said: “This is an absolutely shocking incident and one that is sure to cause much concern to anybody who hears about what has happened. We have increased patrols to provide reassurance to the local community and carry out further enquiries.

“This man forced his way into the address and subjected his victim to a brutal and terrifying rape. We have a team of specially trained officers working to investigate and providing her with support at this difficult time.

“The attacker was completely unknown to the woman and I would ask the people of Old Trafford to please contact the investigation team if they believe they may have seen anything suspicious yesterday evening or in the hours following the rape.”

Anybody with information should contact police on 0161 856 7655 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Greater Manchester is nationally recognised as a model of good practice in terms of support services available to victims.

- If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, we encourage you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police, or a support agency so you can get the help and support available.

- You can call Greater Manchester Police on 101, or alternatively people can refer themselves to St Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre on 0161 276 6515, whether or not you want make a police report.

- St Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Manchester provides a comprehensive and coordinated forensic, counselling and medical aftercare service to anyone in Greater Manchester who has experienced rape or sexual assault. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and people can access them via Greater Manchester Police, or as a self-referral.

- Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential support service run by women for women and girls who have been raped or sexually abused. Confidential helpline: 0161 273 4500. Black and Minority Ethnic helpline: 0161 273 4514.

- Survivors Manchester offers support and counselling for adult male survivors of sexual abuse and rape, regardless of when the event happened. Contact 07919 246 267.

Date and time:  Monday, 14 November 2016 - 2:00pm to 3:00pm

Cost:  £2 per person

No booking required

Suitable for:  All

David Jones (1895-1974) was a poet, artist and mystic who also fought in World War One at Ypres and the Somme. 

Not many people have heard of him despite the fact that the famous poet T.S. Eliot considered his great war poem In Parenthesis "a work of genius". This talk will look at Jones' extraordinary life and consider examples of his art and poetry.

Telephone:  0161 778 0800

Tickets

£14.00 - £16.00 Includes booking fees.

Performances

Sun 27 Nov 16:00

Sun 27 Nov 20:00

James Acaster finds himself with something to look forward to.  Something he's always wanted.  Something we all want.

Foster's Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Show Nominee 2015, 2014, 2013 & 2012

Quote

 

"There's no one better at constructing a show than Acaster" - Guardian

"Comic genius" - Evening Standard

"A bright and unique comedy mind" - Chortle

"He really is rewriting the comedy rulebook" - Time Out

"Continues to stun with boundless creativity and technical mastery" - The Scotsman

"If Oxford wants to study stand-up in depth, Acaster is a good place to start" - Sunday Times

 

Griff Rhys Jones is airing some thoughts - stories, anecdotes, reminiscences and half-remembered events from a long career with his much missed comedy partner Mel Smith. It’s a ramble through a relationship. Join him in this brand new comedy performance, complete with previously unseen footage.

Ellie Taylor star of BBC 2’s Mock the Week, BBC 1’s The John Bishop Show,  Radio 4’s The Now Show and C4’s 8 out of 10 Cats is back with a new stand-up show dealing with that pesky bit of marriage known as monogamy.

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'Radiates natural charisma… blessed with great flair.' The Guardian

'Smart, self-mocking and telegenic, it’s hard to see what else is going to stand in Taylor’s way.' The Scotsman

Plus support.   

 

James Paul Wilde, 28, residing at Rake Lane, Swinton stood in the dock at Manchester & Salford Magistrates court today, charged with the historic 11 year old murder of Paul Croft in an alleyway alongside the Lord Nelson Pub in Pendlebury.

On the 31st of March 2005 police received a call that Paul had been found beaten battered and with severe head injuries, whereupon he was rushed to Manchester Royal (Hope), sadly dying of his injuries a week later aged just 19 years old and having tragically never met his twin sons who were born just three months later.

Several arrests were made at the time but none of them resulted in charges being made despite several appeals to the public for information and (GMP) offering a £50,000 reward in 2010.

Prosecutor Eileen Rogers told the court that his appearance was relating to murder charges from 2005 and that it would need to be referred for a future date at Crown court. Wilde was then remanded in custody as the case was adjourned until his appearance at Crown on November 14th.

Wilde had previously been arrested in March 2005 and February 2006, a police spokesman said.

This latest arrest comes after a reopening of this 'Cold Case' and a fresh look at the evidence.

As Mr Wilde was lead away a female could be heard weeping, he shouted up to the Gallery "I'll ring you tonight'.

11 years is a long time for any family to wait for justice but they never gave up fighting, nor did they give up hope of finally bringing Paul's killer to justice. This is a further step along the way.