On Tuesday 2 September, as part of a crackdown on serious crime, officers from GMP's Salford District worked in collaboration with GMP's Special Operations Branch, Drone Unit, Under Water Search team and Special Constabulary, as well as Salford Council’s Regulatory Services and Registered Housing Provider Salix Homes.

As part of the planned activity, officers executed a warrant at an address in Salford. The occupant of the address is assisting police with their enquiries. No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.

Officers also conducted a weapon sweep of the surrounding area - which included the River Irwell - and recovered a bread knife and a screwdriver. Alongside the weapons, officers also seized a suspected stolen vehicle.

The weapon sweep was executed as part of Operation Sycamore - GMP’s response to tackling serious violent crime, with a particular interest in knife crime. One of the aims of the operation is to understand the causes of knife crime in the younger members of our communities.

Another focus of the day was visiting addresses of note alongside staff from Salix Homes, letter dropping and checking the properties for off-road bikes in a bid to target the illegal usage in the area.

Sergeant Peter MacFarlane from GMP's Salford District said:

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“I hope that today's actions demonstrate that GMP will not tolerate this kind of activity and behaviour in our communities. We will continue to take a collaborative approach with local partners when it comes to tackling serious violent crime and drug related offences by preventing individuals from possessing and using drugs and weapons.

"Today's activity should not be under estimated as operations like this not only deter serious crime and antisocial behaviour, they demonstrate our proactive approach to keeping the public and our communities safe.”

"Serious crime can have a devastating impact on individuals, families and our local communities. In further efforts to combat and reduce crime, there will be an increased police presence in the area over the coming weeks as we conduct further planned activity.

“If you believe that weapons or drugs are being sold or used in your community, then please contact police.”

 

Call police on 101 or anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Earlier this week on Monday 31 August, Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit (TVIU) officers covertly followed a car after they suspected it to be linked to a previous incident that involved an attempted theft.

The officers asked the driver of the car to stop, however they failed to do so and instead drove off at speed along Pendleton island roundabout.

As officers were pursuing the car, the driver rammed the police car and the occupants inside brandished weapons towards the pursuing officers.

The offenders threw items at the officers during the pursuit and when they eventually abandoned the vehicle, they discarded the weapons and made off on foot.

With the support of the police helicopter, firearms officers and the dog unit all four males were detained in a housing estate situated off  Waterloo Road, Crumpsall.

Following a search of the vehicle, a number of weapons were found in the boot of the offenders' car.

Four men – a 23-year-old, 27 year-old, 29 year-old and a 28-year-old – were arrested on suspicion of theft of motor vehicle, attempted section 18 assault, affray and criminal damage. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police are appealing for the public’s help to trace the next of kin of a man from Salford.

Kenneth Olerenshaw, 71, passed away at his sheltered accommodation on Swinton Court, Swinton on Tuesday 1 September 2020.

Police say that there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

Anyone with information about Kenneth’s next of kin should contact the Police Coroner’s Office in Bolton on 0161 856 4687.

Police investigating the disappearance of a woman more than 50 years ago have released an age progression image of what she may look like today.

Isabella Skelton nee McDowall – also known as Izzy – went missing in June 1969 aged 35.

At the time she was living on Lidiard Street, Crumpsall.

Isabella would be aged 86 today, having been born in Glasgow on 21 January 1934.

Married to Lewis Skelton in July 1952 she was the mother of three children – Linda, Richard and Stephen.

She moved to Manchester in the early 1960s, first living in Salford then moving to Crumpsall.

It is believed she attended school in Anderson Cross, Scotland and at the time had a good friend called Anna Owen.

She did some work in a florist and also worked for the James Howden engineering company in Glasgow.

When in Manchester Isabella previously worked at Atlas Express in Blackfriars, Salford. She is also believed to have worked at Gallagher Cigarettes and Ball Bearings Services, the latter at the time of her disappearance.

Her family grew up under the belief that she had left Manchester to work away for a period.

However, her family never saw Isabella again.

Detective Inspector Claire Moss of GMP’s City of Manchester Division said:

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“After more than 50 years, Isabella’s family are still desperately looking for answers.

“There is no record of Isabella after she left Manchester and there is no record of her death.

“We therefore believe she is still alive and remains classed as a missing person with GMP.

“We appreciate that we are talking about a long timeframe, with little information to go on, but we hope that someone may recognise the image we’re releasing today.

“We owe it to Isabella’s family not to stop looking for her.”

 

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

A man from Salford has been charged with a number of firearms offences in Swinton.

Harry Miller (17/06/01) of Rudyard Road, Salford has been charged with:

Possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life

Possess a firearm when prohibited for five years.

Three counts of possession of a firearm

Robbery

Aggravated burglary

He has been remanded in custody and will be appearing before Manchester Crown Court on Friday 25 September 2020.

Between Friday 14 August 2020 and Thursday 20 August 2020, police were informed of three separate incidents involving a firearm in Swinton.

A senior naval officer has taken over at the helm of Broughton House Veteran Care Village in Salford as the new chairman of its board of trustees.

Commodore Phil Waterhouse succeeds Professor Sir Netar Malik, who has stood down after eight years in the role.

Commodore Waterhouse is the Naval Regional Commander for Northern England and the Isle of Man.

He is the First Sea Lord’s Ambassador for the region, whose task is to ensure that the Naval Service is understood, respected and valued by the community it serves.

He has been in post since 2017 and flies his Broad Pennant from his headquarters in Liverpool.

Commodore Waterhouse joined the board of Broughton House as a trustee three years ago, He said:

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“My time on the board of Broughton House has given me a great fondness for not only the residents and staff, but also an understanding and drive to help deliver the wider aspirations and impact that the UK’s first Veteran Care Village and charity is seeking to achieve.

“I could not be more pleased nor humbled to be asked to lead the trustees into this exciting new period for Broughton House.”

 

Broughton House is being transformed into the UK’s first Veteran Care Village in a £15m scheme.

Once completed, the two-acre site will feature a 64-bedroom care home, up to 30 independent living apartments, a military support hub, a memorial park, and landscaped gardens with a bowling green and bandstand.

Commodore Waterhouse paid tribute to Sir Netar and to George Almond, who has stood down as one of two vice-chairmen of Broughton House, He said:

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“Their contributions have been magnificent and we are extremely grateful to them for their many years of dedicated service to the region’s veterans,”

Commodore Waterhouse joined the Royal Navy as a Junior Sailor in 1982 and was promoted to the Officer Corps in 1988.

He served in a variety of senior seagoing and shore roles before taking up his current post.

Outside of work, he is a keen sports fan and family man. He is a past chairman of the Royal Navy Rugby League Association and vice-chairman of Great Britain Armed Forces Rugby League, and is a practising cricket umpire. 

Climate change campaigners 'Extinction Rebellion' have brought traffic to a standstill as they hold protests around Manchester throughout the day, with the main one focused in Peter Street which has been closed off to traffic between Oxford Street and Mount Street, where protestors have unfurled banners.

There is currently heavy traffic and congestion around the area.

Organisers say that there are planned events to happen during the coming week to raise awareness of the devastating effects of climate change. The activists continue their calls for MPs to back a climate emergency bill hold a national citizens’ assembly on the crisis.

The group will be carrying out similar actions in London and Cardiff.

XR coordinator, Anneka Sutcliffe said:

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“Obviously we’re expecting lower numbers than in October [last year] because of Covid-19 and because we’re encouraging social distancing."

 

Chris Newman, a GP who founded the Doctors for XR group, said:

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“The government have signalled that Covid is now controlled enough for schools to reopen. But just as children need an education to have successful lives, they need a planet that isn’t wrecked by short-sightedness, in order to be healthy.

“With this in mind returning to the streets to peacefully protest government negligence is our duty and our right.”

 

However, the protests have come under heavy condemnation online with some on social media claiming the protests to be a mockery and flouting of social distancing rules.

One commentator said:

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"Do these people not realise what is going on across Greater Manchester, we are STILL in a state of partial lockdown? Businesses have already been hit hard and bringing even more disruption on the roads and preventing customers travelling into town is not going to help matters any.

"We are told to social distance and avoid mass social gatherings and yet this lot think it is acceptable to bring even more misery to those just wanting to go about their day."

 

If you are heading into central Manchester you may want to consider checking for potential traffic and travel disruption. 

Emergency services were scrambled after reports that a female had fallen from the Derby Road bridge in Seedley at around 21:23 this evening (Monday 31st August), upon arrival it was quickly determined that the female had not sustained any serious injuries.

One lane of the M602 was temporarily suspended during the incident but is now said to be flowing freely again.

Police have now launched an investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the incident.

A GMP Spokesperson said:

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"Police were called to the M602/ Derby Road area at 21:23 hours on Monday 31 August 2020 to reports of a female having fallen from the bridge.

"Motorway officers and North West Ambulance Service are in attendance. The female has sustained no serious injuries. The investigation is ongoing."

 

Anyone who has any available information is asked to call Police on 101 quoting log number 3042 31/08/2020 or alternately details can be passed anonymously to the independent charity crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Officers have enforced stop and search powers Higher Broughton along with Cheetham Hill after a string of incidents which police say are due to a dispute between rival gang groups.

In response to a dedicated operation - codenamed Operation Haemus - police from the City of Manchester have taken the decision to implement Section 60 powers under the 1994 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act. This disruption tactic comes after what officers believe to be an ongoing dispute between two local crime groups and follows three recent incidents which occurred over the last two weeks. This includes a Section 18 assault, whereby a 17-year-old sustained serious injuries after being attacked with a machete, and two reports of a firearms discharge, where thankfully no one was injured. 

The implementation of the act means that officers in the Cheetham Hill and Higher Broughton areas will have extended stop and search powers for a period of time. 

Superintendent  Rebecca Boyce, of GMP's City of Manchester division, said:

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"These incidents are the first significant occurrences that we have seen in the area for a number of months, and bringing these powers into place is not a decision we have taken lightly. However, I hope this decision demonstrates to the community our commitment to ensuring their safety and protecting them from this kind of reckless crime.

"Disputes of this kind are incredibly dangerous and can have serious consequences for all involved. We have a range of tactics at our disposal when working on a complex operation such as this, and by bringing preventative measures such as these powers in to action, we will hopefully encourage people who are tempted by this type of lifestyle to think twice before brandishing a weapon on our streets.

"Operation Haemus remains very much ongoing and our officers continue to work tirelessly to proactively execute warrants and carry out arrests as well as conducting high visibility patrols in the area to protect the community and ensure their safety. However we cannot do this alone. I would like to plea to anyone who has any information, or witnessed any of the three incidents mentioned above, to please come forwards and speak with police.

"We hope the community support us with this decision and continue to report any suspicious activity."

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 1146, quoting incident number 1108 of 30/08/20.

Reports can also be made anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police are appealing for information after a man was seriously injured in a collision in Salford.

At around 9.15pm on Thursday 27 August 2020, police were called to reports of a collision on Fir Street in Cadishead after a 28-year-old man fell off of his bicycle before colliding with a white C1 Citroen.

Emergency services attended and the man was taken to hospital with serious head injuries where he remains in a critical condition.

The driver remained and at the scene to speak with officer and no arrests have been made and police say that enquiries remain ongoing.

Police Constable Phillip Collingwood, of GMP's Serious Collision investigation Unit, said:

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"Sadly this incident has left a man in a critical condition and we are keen to establish the full circumstances surrounding this collision.

"I appreciate that this is not a busy stretch of road, however I am hopeful that there are still a number of people who witnessed this incident.

"If you were on Fir Street at the time and witnessed this collision, or have any dash cam footage leading up to this collision, please get in touch with police as soon as possible."

 

Anyone with any information should contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4741 quoting incident number 2873 of 27/08/2020.

Reports can also be made anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police are appealing to the public for information to help trace a wanted man from the Salford area.

Ryan Holden (16/10/1993) was released from prison in May 2020 after being jailed in March 2019 for breach of a restraining order.

Holden is known to have links to Eccles as well as Manchester City Centre.

He is believed to be referred to by the nickname 'Snibs'.

Anybody with any information about the whereabouts of Holden should contact police on 0161 856 5238 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Police were called to Albert Street in Cadishead once more at around 18:05 yesterday evening (Thursday 27th August), after receiving a call about a male whom appeared to pull what was believed to be a gun from his waistband and then proceed to smash a car window.

Due to the mention of a gun, firearms officers were quickly in the area conducting a search for the male who fortunately was located a short time later by firearms officers on Hamilton Avenue.

The man was arrested for the offence of criminal damage and found to be in possession of an imitation firearm.

Earlier in the evening another man was arrested following what police describe as a 'disturbance' on the same street.

Police were called this evening (Thursday 27th August) after reports of a disturbance on Albert Street in Cadishead.

An arrest of a man was made at the scene and he remains in custody this evening for questioning.

A large police presence was seen in the area.

Anyone with information about the incident can contact police on 101 quoting incident number 2282 of 27/08/20.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Detectives investigating the sexual assault of a woman and assault of her son in Salford have released an e-fit.

At around 6pm on Friday 17 July 2020, police received a report that a woman and her son had been involved in a struggle with a man near Hilton Lane, Worsley. 

An investigation was launched and officers established that, at around 5.30pm, a woman in her 20s had been approached from behind by a man who grabbed her by the mouth and pulled her towards a wooded area. During the struggle, the victim's one-year-old son - who was in a pram - was knocked over.

Thankfully, neither the woman or her son were injured.

An investigation is underway.

No arrests have been made.

DC Mike Taylor, of GMP's Salford district, said:

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"This was a terrifying experience for the woman, who was pushing a pram at the time. I would like to thank her for everything she has done to assist us with our enquiries so far.

"We are committed to identifying the person responsible so have released this e-fit in the hope that there are members of the public out there who can provide us with lines of enquiry.

"If that is you or you have any other information which may be of interest to us, I ask you to contact us or Crimestoppers, anonymously."

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 5194 quoting 2616 of 17/07/20 or the independent charity - Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

There was a marvellous turn out of some 100+ people today as local residents and concerned parties gathered at the Three Sisters site in Ellesmere Park to show their feelings at the proposed building by United Utilities of a storm tank, temporary car park, and storage facilities on the land.

Local residents say that the plans will have a huge impact on the local wildlife and fauna.

The site is an officially defined  Site Of Biological Interest (SBI)  with Greater Crested Newts, Bats, assorted wildlife etc making this their habitat, 17 trees are also earmarked to be chopped down for, "temporary parking" for workman's vehicles.

In all some 2,000 square metres which is around 5% of the land will be affected.

Local resident and chair of the Ellesmere Park Residents Association (EPRA)Clare Ward said:

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“We are not against the need to mitigate the sewer flooding, it is the location of both the storm tank and the construction of a temporary car park and storage area that concerns us particularly when there are other alternative locations.

"To destroy mature trees for the sake of short term gain seems completely unreasonable.

"The Three Sisters is an official defined Site of Biological Interest (SBI) in Eccles with a Roman road running through the site.”

 

Residents are aware of the need for a storm tank which would help alleviate the cellar flooding's in many houses, they object to the siting of it in the proximity of the Three Sisters and have reminded United Utilities of the similar work they have carried out in the area by placing storm tanks underground.

A local resident, whose cellar has been flooded in the past, has objected to the current planning application and has commented,

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“There are proven viable alternative solutions other than locating the storm tank on a Local Nature Reserve, solutions United Utilities have chosen to completely ignore.

"Over the last 40 years residents of Salford have fought hard to protect and enhanced this unique area for the benefit of the wider community.

"When there are alternative solutions, that United Utilities have used previously in this area to stop flooding, I am not prepared to see any part of our Local Nature Reserve destroyed.”

 

As compensation, United Utilities plan to replace the mature trees with a few young trees, tiny saplings and a flat, grassy area.

However, residents say that United Utilities proposed replacement will not deliver anything like the existing biodiversity and maturity of the nature reserve for over fifty years.

Representatives have met with United Utilities to try and agree on an alternative placement for the tank but unfortunately discussions have not proven positive, with some residents claiming that UU is seeking the cheapest option with little if any regard for the bio-diverse area.

Rebecca Long Bailey the M.P. for Eccles who lives locally turned out to show her support and spoke to salford.media about her concerns, along with Steve Donohue from the Ellesmere Park Residents Association who has lived in area all his life.

A man and a woman have been charged in connection with a stabbing outside of a Walkden pub on Sunday evening.

Mason Gorman (10/07/1999) of Richborough Close, Salford has been charged with four counts of Section 18 Assault and one count of threatening a person with a bladed article.

He has been remanded in custody and will appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court today (Tuesday 25 August 2020).

Caitlan Holland (05/07/2002) of Ridyard Street, Little Hulton has been charged with Section 47 assault and was bailed before an appearance at Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court today (Tuesday 25 August 2020). 

Just before 10pm on Sunday 23 August, police were called to reports of a stabbing on Manchester Road, Walkden.

Three brave customers came to the aid of a woman who had been slashed in the face by a 21-year-old knife wielding man during what is described as a horrific attack outside the Stocks Hotel in Walkden on Sunday evening (23rd August).

In doing so they received stab wounds themselves after the frenziedly attacker turned on them as they tried to stop him harming the unnamed woman.

All of the victims were transported to hospital for treatment, with one of them said to have received what was at first thought to be a life threatening chest wound, we are please to report that he has since managed to come through the ordeal and his condition is now stable.

It is thought that the incident happened as a result of a prior disagreement between two couple which had turned violent in the vicinity of the popular Walkden public house.

A source told us:

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"If it were not for the bravery of the men who fought him off and defended her, things could have turned out much worse for the lady.

"The Stocks is probably one of the quieter pubs in Salford, this is not something which happens every day around here.

"It really is shocking."

The have a go heroes have received praise for their brave actions last night, their selfless and quick response to the situation is commendable and they should be proud of what they did.

Police are continuing their investigations into the incident.

A teenage boy was assaulted during an incident in Little Hulton after a collision between two vehicles yesterday evening Sunday 23rd August.

Both sides of the carriageway were temporarily closed after the collision between a Black Vauxhall Astra and a Blue Ford Focus on Manchester Road East, it is alleged that during the incident, a 17-year-old boy was assaulted.

He was taken to hospital for treatment.

A 21-year-old and a 28-year-old were arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm with intent to case fear of violence and they remain in custody.

Police say that enquiries into the incident are on going.

There are no links to another incident which happened further along the same road, when four people were involved in a stabbing attack outside the Stocks Hotel in Walkden.

GMP have released a statement:

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"At around 8.10pm yesterday evening (Sunday 23 August 2020), police were called to a report of a collision involving two vehicles on Manchester Road East, Little Hulton.

"Officers attended an established that two vehicles, a black Vauxhall Astra and blue Ford Focus, had been in collision and a teenager had subsequently been assaulted.

"The victim, a boy aged 17, was taken to hospital and treated for minor injuries.

"Two men, aged 21 and 28, have been arrested on suspicion of being in possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. Both men remain in custody for questioning. Enquiries are ongoing."

 

If you have any information about the Little Hulton incident then you should contact police on 0161 856 5049 quoting incident number 2855 of 23/08/2020.

Reports can also be made anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Salford’s new scheme to help apprentices made redundant because of the Coronavirus pandemic has scored its first success.

Trainee painter and decorator Jaden Legge has secured a new job just as his girlfriend is due to give birth to their first child. His new employers Smalley are sub-contractors for Keepmoat Homes on a new, affordable housing development in Charlestown.

Salford City Council launched the scheme earlier this month to match anyone who lost their apprenticeship because of the pandemic with new employers. Firms are being offered a £2,000 grant to help the trainees get their qualifications.

Salford City College, which has supported the development of the fund, provides a wide range of apprenticeship programmes across a range of sectors that support the development and upskilling of apprentices across Salford and Greater Manchester.

Jaden, from Eccles, who is just two months away from qualifying as a skilled painter and decorator, said he was “over the moon.”

“I didn’t hesitate to take on the work trial and I knew I had to make a good impression to get the job. I’m now enjoying working on new build projects and looking forward to the birth of my daughter,” he said.

City Mayor Paul Dennett said the fund was designed to help young people like Jaden make the most of Greater Manchester’s construction boom.

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“There are huge opportunities in construction in Salford and Greater Manchester now with vast amounts of regeneration, huge demand for housing, particularly affordable homes and another £54 million worth of shovel-ready projects due to come online in the next few years despite the economic impact of the pandemic,” he said.

“If we can protect young people from the downturn, help them complete their apprenticeships and become qualified then they will be better placed to weather the storm.”

Craig Murphy, Keepmoat Homes Regional Managing Director, added: “Our industry needs keen and enthusiastic young people like Jayden in all the construction trades. One of our trainees is now our contracts managers so the opportunities to progress are also there.” 

 

Allan Milne, Head of Apprenticeships at Salford City College, said:

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“We are delighted the fund will support Jaden to complete his apprenticeship and are extremely grateful to Smalleys for giving him this opportunity, as well as the Build Salford partnership for facilitating it. As Jaden has discovered, apprenticeships are a great way for people to gain and develop the skills and knowledge to establish a successful career.”

Photo shows: Left to right – Dave Smalley, Contracts Manager, John Jordan, Build Salford project, City Mayor Paul Dennett, Mandy Shepherd, Salford City College, Craig Murphy, Keepmoat Homes and Jaden Legge centre front.

Greater Manchester Police respoinded to a 'disturbance' in Walkden between Harriet Street and Egerton Road at around 11pm on the evening of Sunday 23rd August.

Police have now disclosed that a man has been arrested on suspicion of section 18 assault after four people were treated for stab wounds, one of which is said to be in a stable condition.

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"Just before 10pm on Sunday 23rd August, police were called to reports of a stabbing on Manchester Road, Walkden. 

"Emergency services attended and four people were taken to hospital, one of whom remains in a stable condition in hospital.

"A 21-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of Section 18 assault. He remains in custody for questioning. 

"This is believed to be an isolated incident."
 

A large police presence was concentrated in an area around the Stocks Hotel in Walkden which was taped off Last night and remains taped off this morning.

The A6 was temporarily closed to traffic in both directions and vehicles were being diverted onto alternative routes around the area, but the road has now reopened.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting incident number 3191 of 23/08/2020. 

Reports can also be made anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 

Photo: Peter Nixon - via SalfordOnline