The worst part about being located at the junction which joins the Irwell to the Manchester Ship Canal is that when it inevitably floods as it did on a huge scale yesterday (9th Feb), the flotsam which surges along with the swell of water always ends up in the same place, the basins at Salford Quays.

Sadly it is the task of Salford City Council to clean it all up and foot the bill.

The day after the big storm hit, Salford Council got on with the task of removing the carpet of debris from the water around Salford Quays and the stuff which ends up there never fails to surprise us. 

Amongst the usual twigs, branches, leaves and occasional tree trunk this time were such finds as no less than four half size fridge freezers, umpteen traffic cones, gas bottles, an odd welly boot (not sure where the other one ended up but someone has one foot wet) as well as several bike tyres. 

The shear amount of plastic bottles and tin cans mixed in with the rest of the muck is staggering. One can only think just what all of that plastic is doing to the local ecosystem. 

In a rather odd way it is a good thing as the rivers up stream will have had a bit of a clear out BUT the devastation to areas further up the river bring a lump to your throat when you think about just how many people are suffering.

Fortunately for Salford we had the double flood basins which undoubtedly saved thousands of Salford homes from what would have surely been a repeat of the scenes back in 2015 had they not been in place this time around.

The flooding and attrocious weather did not seem to deter the cities drug dealers this weekend as police in Higher Broughton arrested a male on suspicion of Possession with Intent to Supply a Class A Drug.

Officers from the A relief Neighbourhood Team were out and about on routine patrol when they spotted a male loitering in an alleyway which is a well known drug dealing hot-spot in the area.

As they made their approach the male was seen and heard to shout “GO”, in doing so alerting another male on a mountain bike further down the alleyway who quickly turned around and attempted to make his get-away.

Unluckily for the drug peddling cyclist, he unwittingly rode straight into the arms of an awaiting police officer stationed at the opposite end of the alleyway and he was swiftly detained for a stop search.

The male was subsequently found in possession of a quantity of suspected drugs and cash and as a result he was arrested on the spot.

It brings a whole new meaning to drug peddling.

An area around Emaline Grange was cordoned off after a firearm was discharged at a property on the cul-de-sac last night.

At around 11.20pm on Sunday 9 February 2020, police were called to several reports of gunshots heard on Emaline Grange in the Seedley area of Salford.

Officers from Greater Manchester Police attended and found evidence that at least four shots had been fired through a ground level window of a property.

No one has been reported as having been injured.

An investigation is currently underway and as yet there have been no arrests made.

Police are saying that the incident is being treated as a targeted attack and there is not believed to be any threat to the wider community.

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 5345 quoting 3584 09/02/20.

Alternatively, the independent charity - Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Some of the most flood prone areas of Salford were saved Today (Sunday 9th Feb) after an unprecedented deluge of water cascaded off the hills and flooded into the swollen River Irwell.

The torrent rushed down the river valley with a phenomenal volume as it had done so during the record breaking Boxing Day floods of 2015, however, this time there was something standing in the way of it bringing misery and destruction to homes and businesses along the river-side.

The saviour you ask? 

Well there were two of them and both played an equally important role in the cities flood defence - we are of course talking about the dual flood basins constructed to take water from the river and prevent homes further down stream from being inundated, as is what would surely have happened again had they not been in place.

They sprang into action and funnelled water from the river and in doing so they undoubtedly saved thousands of households and businesses from facing the prospects of having to go through the heart-ache of cleaning up the mess and rebuilding their lives again. 2015 is half a decade away but for those who were so badly affected it still remains fresh in their minds.

Salford has had a flood basin in place for many years along Littleton Road (Salford Sports Village) but the addition of a second basin on the former Manchester Race Course site at Castle Irwell has made all the difference and allowed for extra capacity in the system - and that is key to preventing flooding from occurring and keeping people and homes safe. 

The 15 hectare site with an estimated capacity of more than 250 Olympic sized swimming pools may have cost £10m to construct but when you take into consideration the cost of the damage to infrastructure alone (which ran into £11.5m in 2015), then today it has more than earned its construction cost back - and then some.

When not forming part of the flood defence system the newly created basin also has other benefits in that it offers a refuge to wildlife as a wetland nature reserve, a nesting and feeding grounds to many of our native and visiting species of wild fowl as well as beautiful scenery right in the heart of an urbanised part of the city for locals to enjoy on bike and foot.

Today the new system faced its biggest test to date and it passed with flying colours and has more than proven it's worth - allowing an extra level of reassurance for those living in flood-prone areas along the Salford banks of the Irwell, however, we should never feel complacent about the possibility of flooding in the future as with changes to our climate happening at an alarming rate, we can expect an increase in the frequency of these kinds of storms.

It should be said though that there is also another fundamental reason for Sundays success which should not go unmentioned - and that is the response from the agencies involved who worked together with local people to ensure the messages got out and everything worked flawlessly. 

Well before any alerts were issued there were staff from the Environment Agency, United Utilities and Salford City Council on the ground monitoring the situation in advance. As soon as the alert was issued a well rehearsed and synchronised response was put into play.

Homes were contacted via text and phone calls, people were knocking on doors giving advice and reports were issued throughout the day on social media and in news reports, even the LED sign in Lower Broughton was giving warnings of potential flooding to anyone passing by.

Greater Manchester Police were on patrol and on the look out for potential issues and a heroic network of local people sprang into action to give warning to elderly and disabled neighbours, it all just seemed to work like a well oiled machine but behind the scenes there has been a lot of work put in to ensuring that everything ran so smoothly when needed.

So after a hectic day the people of Lower Broughton, Charlestown and Lower Kersal can at least sleep a little easier until the next storm rolls in and we have to do it all again.

Photos: SM

Officers from Greater Manchester Police's transport unit made an arrest late yesterday night (8th Feb) in the Salford Quays area of the city after pulling over a male driver and testing him at the road side for drugs.

His test result came back as a positive and so the man was arrested on suspicion of driving a motor vehicle under the influence of cannabis. 

Roadside tests are followed up by an advanced urine and blood test back at the police station with samples sent off to a laboratory for further testing.

He will appear in court at a later date.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, whether legal or not, can seriously impair your ability to drive and jeopardises people’s safety on the roads GMP have said that they will use every tool at their disposal to stop this from happening.

Updated: The flood warnings have now been lifted as water levels have dropped and the river height has started to recede. 

So far so good for the Kersal Flood Defences which seem to be coping well under unprecedented deluge which storm Ciara is throwing at us.

The Environment Agency, United Utilities and Salford Council have been pretty much on the ball this time around with warnings put in place and texts and emails sent as well as people knocking on doors alerting those in the immediate danger of flooding.

The response has safe to say been a far cry from that of the horrific Boxing Day Floods of 2015 which saw homes swamped with river water and hundreds made temporarily homeless, lessons have clearly been learned all-round.

Since those dark days much work has been done to ensure that Kersal and Lower Broughton are protected and 'touch wood' so far it seems to be working - but Salford is not off the hook just yet.

The new flood plain at Lower Broughton has seen its first real test since its creation and in all fairness it has worked flawlessly, it may have cost a lot of money but it is money well spent if it keeps homes from being underwater and the lives of local people from being ruined once more.

The system still has a huge capacity to hold water despite the huge flows coming down the Irwell.

The current recorded level at the Race Course in Kersal at the time of writing is 4.66m and although it is far less than the almost 6m levels seen in 2015 - it is still enough to cause serious flooding in the area.

The authorities remain on high alert and are out in huge numbers to oversee it all.

Some residents along the worst affected stretches in Kersal have been told to move any personal belongings and valuables upstairs as a precaution just in case the worst case scenario happens.

At the moment flooding looks to be a minimal although the River Irwell remains tantalisingly close to bursting its banks in some stretches and water has already started to seep through cracks in the walls of nearby Age Croft Cemetery which lies adjacent to the opening of the Kersal flood basin.

Families headed there this afternoon to remove any precious belongings and memorials from graves that are close to the rear boundary wall with the river.

There is still a good few inches to go before it goes over the top of the wall but water had already started to flood in from underneath it and through the cracks at an alarming rate.

With more rain forecast over the coming hours and the possibility of freezing conditions and even snow ahead, it would seem that the week ahead is going to be a busy one.

As more rain falls on the hills and more water heads our way, Kersal, Charlestown and Lower Broughton are not high and dry just yet but things are not looking half as grim as they were in 2015.

For up-to-date info see the Broughton Flood Group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1764900323799067/

On a personal note we would like to recognise the huge effort put in by Keri Muldoon who has not stopped all day - keeping people informed and safe, despite the fact her own home is at risk of flooding. Someone give that lady an award.

As Storm Ciara currently batters the Northwest some areas have been issued with flood warnings, Salford being one of them which has been warned of possible flooding along the stretch close to the old race course in Lower Kersal.

Those living in nearby homes are being advised to keep an eye on the river level and be prepared for possible localised flooding.

The current advise is to take action to ensure that any valuables are removed to a higher level of your home.

At time of writing the river level is currently just above 3.5m and it is expected to continue to rise  and peak at around 4.3m by around 1pm as more rain is dumped onto the hills.

For up to date information please keep an eye on the River Levels UK website as well as on the local flood watch Facebook group in the area: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1764900323799067/

The Flood Warning Information Service has said:

Quote

 

"River levels are forecast to rise at the Manchester RC river gauge as a result of heavy rainfall. Consequently, flooding of low lying land, roads and farmland is possible this afternoon, the 9th February 2020.

"We believe there is a possibility of flooding for low lying land and roads around the Rivers Irk and Medlock, Wince and Worsley Brooks and their tributaries.

"We expect river levels to peak around 12:45pm on 09/02/20.

"Our incident response staff are closely monitoring weather forecasts and river levels and will issue further flood warnings if necessary.

"Please be aware of your surroundings and keep up to date with the current situation. This message will be updated in 8 hours, or as the situation changes."

 

We are being informed of a hit and run Road Traffic Accident on Langley Road South involving two female pupils from the nearby Albion Academy.

Quote

"At around 3.20pm on Friday 7 February 2020, police were called to reports of a collision on Cromwell Road, Salford.

"Officers attended and initial enquires suggest that a vehicle has collided with two girls.

"The victims have been taken to hospital with injuries which are not currently believed to be life threatening.  

The driver of the vehicle has failed to stop.

"An investigation is underway.

"No arrests have been made.

"The road is currently closed in both directions."

Buses are currently being diverted and road closures around Cromwell Road Roundabout are in place.

TfGM is advising motorists to find an alternative route as traffic congestion is expected due to the closures of Cromwell Road in both directions between Little Road, Gerald Road and Langley Road.

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 1319 quoting 1815 07/02/20.

Alternatively, the independent charity – Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Photo: AP via Facebook

Today I and along with about a 1.000 other people possibly more turned up on the forecourt at Old Trafford, to pay our respects to the Busby Babes and the other victims of that awful plane crash in February 1958 which decimated the finest football team in England at that time and devastated both Manchester and Salford, yet united them in their grief.

Hopefully you all aware of the crash despite it happening over 60 years ago yet for many people the memory is still as fresh and painful as that cold February morning.

Rev John Boyers the former club chaplain hosted the event on a raised dias as he addressed the faithful.

We had poetry readings from, Kady Kavanagh and Steve Douglas who captured the sentiments of how we all felt, emotional stuff.

Two young lads from the U13s Academy, Cody and Jacob bravely read out a poem about the Busby Babes and it was heartening to hear that all the young players are taught about Munich and what it means to be a United player.

No Memorial service would be complete without Salford lad, Pete Martin giving us a couple of songs , The Pride of Football which he composed himself and the beautifully poignant, Flowers of Manchester which truly brought a tear to the eye.

Ole Gunner Solskjaer and former club captain, Bryan Robson laid wreaths on behalf of the club and players, I was really pleased to see Ole there, he really understands the Manchester United history and ethos, well done that man, and you Robbo.

A two minute silence was observed at 3.04pm  a time etched into so many fan's and people's memories, a haunting reminder.

Jimmy Murphy,Junior, the son of Jimmy Murphy - the man who took the helm when Sir Matt Busby was fighting for his life in a Munich hospital and can be credited with keeping our great club going - spoke to the crowd about his Father and the special bond that his Father and Sir Matt Busby had, going back to WW2 when they both served in the army in Italy.

See Our Video Tribute To Busby Babe Eddie Colman

He came across as a very dignified yet humble man , a man so proud of his father and rightly so.

The day ended with a mass sing-a - long off "We'll Never Die" that Manchester United cry of defiance to the world.

Truly, We Shall Never Die!

Emergency services were called to Great Clowes Street in the early hours of this morning after a collision between a pedestrian and a car.

A male in his 20's suffered injuries to his legs and wrists and was taken by ambulance to Manchester Royal Infirmary for treatment.

Additionally a young female passenger within the car also required treatment and was taken to Salford Royal.

Commuters were faced with the road being closed as they headed out to work but it was not long before it was reopened again.

A NWAS spokewoman said:

Quote

 

 "We were called at around 2:59am to a road traffic collision involving a car and a pedestrian.

"Two vehicles were sent.

"A teenage female was outside of the car by the time we arrived on the scene.

"She did not have serious injuries, she was conscious and breathing. She was taken to Salford Royal Hospital.

"We have also got a male in his 20s. He suffered leg and wrist injuries. He was taken to the MRI."

 

A reunion with a former RAF colleague has inspired a recent Lord Mayor of Manchester to become an official ambassador for veterans’ care home Broughton House.

Carl Austin-Behan and Broughton House chief executive Chris Lindsay were stationed together at RAF Chivenor in Devon during the early 1990s. Carl was a fireman and Chris was an assistant air traffic controller.

The pair met for the first time in nearly 30 years at the funeral of 100-year-old RAF veteran and Broughton House resident Oswald Dixon last October.

Carl said:

Quote

 

“I read about Oswald’s sad passing and decided to attend his funeral in tribute. When I met Chris there and we started talking, I realised we had been RAF colleagues.

“I’d visited Broughton House on several occasions when I was the Lord Mayor of Manchester, before Chris took up his role.

“It’s a charity that is close to my heart and I look forward to supporting the tremendous work it does and to raising awareness of its fundraising campaigns and projects.”

 

Carl’s links with the Salford care home go back to when he was a youngster attending Crumpsall Lane Primary School in north Manchester.

Quote

 

“At Harvest Festival time we used to take food for the veterans and at Christmas we put on concerts for them.

“The care provided at Broughton House for veterans is amazing and I’m delighted to be on board as an ambassador and to give any guidance I can to help it continue to flourish.”

 

Carl joined the RAF at the age of 19 in April 1991 and served until November 1997, when he was discharged for being gay.

During his service was posted to Belize and the Ascension Islands, and received several awards, including one from the Royal Humane Society for the pilot from the burning wreckage of a Hawk aircraft.

Nowadays he runs a cleaning company with his business partner and is the LGBTQ+ adviser to the Mayor of Greater Manchester and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. 

He is also a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester and the president of young people’s theatre Contact.
Carl received an OBE in the New Year Honours for services to charity, LGBTQ+ equality and supporting communities across Greater Manchester.

He is the latest high-profile ambassador for Broughton House, following the recent appointments of Coronation Street star Antony Cotton, Team GB Taekwondo para athlete and world champion Amy Truesdale and Sale Sharks hooker Curtis Langdon.

Ambassadors promote the Salford care home to increase awareness and attract new supporters, and attend or host events organised by the charity.

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

Chris Lindsay said:

Quote

 

“I am extremely pleased and proud that Carl has kindly agreed to become an ambassador for Broughton House.

“We recently had time to remember our friendship as RAF colleagues while serving at RAF Chivenor in the early 1990s. 

“As we transition to becoming the UK’s first Veteran Care Village, having such a motivated individual as Carl as an ambassador will undoubtedly assist us in raising awareness of Broughton House to the wider community.”

 

Submitted by www.kevinfeddymedia.co.uk

Photo: Carl Austin-Behan and Chris Lindsay at Broughton House.

Concerns have been raised after a large number of still full 'Nitrous Oxide' canisters were found dumped on a car park in Buile Hill Park this morning.

A dog walker discovered the silver canisters (some of which were still full) this morning and has raised concerns that they could fall into the hands of children walking through the park too and from a local high school.

Hearing the news we took a drive up there and promptly removed any still viable canisters which we have now disposed of properly.

We estimate there to have been at least 70 canisters, 7 of which were still full.

Nitrous Oxide (better known as laughing gas) is widely used as a party drug in the UK - giving users a short-lived euphoric feeling, however, it can cause serious damage to the mouth, lips and vocal chords as well as the lungs.

Young people inhaling it are running huge risks to their health.

Taking too much of the drug more commonly known as 'Noz' or 'Hippy Crack' can cause users to feel faint and in some cases they can become unconscious or experience numbness and run into difficulties with breathing.

In the most extreme cases it can cause permanent memory loss, swelling of the brain and even death due to lack of oxygen in the lungs.

A government report found that on average five fatalities per year are attributed to the drug but far more suffer from other associated effects.

It is illegal to be sold for human consumption although it is still easily available in other forms and is widely used in the food industry.

Over the past few weeks we have received increasing reports of canisters being spotted discarded all over the city, just a couple of days back we were informed that another large quantity were found scattered around streets in Weaste.

Today we payed a visit to the Salford Local History Library on the Crescent in Salford not to have a peruse through their archives for once, but to see the librarian and all round good chap, Duncan McCormick and present him with our latest Gold Star Award.

Duncan really is one of the unsung heroes of Salford, for the past ten years he has worked at the library and it has to be said he is one the most helpful, friendly and informative people I have ever met.

His enthusiasm for the job shines through as we called in and caught holding a "reminiscence" session for local, elderly people, the table was full of period photographs and maps and they were all busy chatting away sharing their memories, and what an excellent way of encouraging people to meet up and chat about their lives.

Duncan is in charge of some 70,000 photographs of the city and surrounding areas,census returns, street directories, maps and newspapers, so as you can imagine he is in constant demand for his services.

Quote

 

" I really enjoy my job and I get pleasure out of helping people find  out about their ancestors, family tree research is incredibly popular these days.

"Recently I helped a family trace their family tree and they were both shocked and amused to find that one of their close relatives had been convicted of running a brothel in Salford!

"I get requests from all over the world from people with Salford roots and I do try my best to help them out or point them in the right direction.

" Heritage not history is my motto, heritage is something you inherit so there is a difference"

 

I can not praise Duncan highly enough for the sterling work he does in helping so many people, week in, week out with unfailing enthusiasm and it was a pleasure to present him with his award, if it was up to me he would be given the Freedom of Salford!

The library is open Tuesday to Friday from 9.30am until 4.30pm with a late night opening on a Wednesday until 8pm.

Booking is essential if you are visiting and wish to use the facilities, call on 0161 778 0814.

Salford City Council have warned mourners to be on their guard after fears that flowers have been stolen from gravesides in the city.

Grieving families have made sickening reports that both flowers and floral tributes have been taken from the side of Agecroft crematorium and from graves at Agecroft cemetery following recent funerals.

Officials from Salford City Council are now reviewing CCTV footage which covers the cemeteries and have informed Greater Manchester police.

Councillor David Lancaster, lead member for environment and community safety, said the council was taking the concerns very seriously.

Quote

 

“To steal flowers left after a funeral is despicable and shows a complete lack of thought for the grieving family at a very difficult time,” he said.

“We have alerted the police and made all our cemeteries staff aware of the allegation so they can be extra vigilant.

“If anyone has any information about this which could help with a prosecution, then please come forward and let us know or report it anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555111."

 

Photo: SM

Greater Manchester Police have disclosed that a man has been charged with a terrorism offence in Salford.

Ataubaq Taj, 27/12/1985, of Hacking Street, Salford, has been charged with one offence under Section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000 which relates to the possession of a document or record likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism.

Taj has been conditionally bailed and will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday 10 February 2020.

Officers from Counter Terrorism Police North West executed an arrest warrant at an address in Salford on Wednesday 8 January 2020 and arrested a 34-year-old man on suspicion of a terrorism offence.

When it comes to St Ann's in Little Hulton I think everyone in this great city of ours is aware of the completely outstanding level of care they give to those who are unfortunate enough to require it. The team at the hospice don't need or require praise but we are going to give it them anyhow as they are truly amazing and the support they give not only to patients but also to family is truly exceptional.

Which is why so many make it their mission to get out there and raise funds to keep them doing what they do.

And so with that in mind Corries Andy Whyment (better known as his beloved character Kirky), has quite literally thrown down the gauntlet and is challenging YOU to walk on fire in aid of supporting the patients at the local hospice.

The daring Fire-walk will be held on Saturday the 22nd of Feb at their base in Little Hulton and anyone who feels brave enough to hot step up to the challenge is welcome to face their fears and walk across the stretch of burning embers.

Don't worry though as there will be a two-hour motivational training session to get participants ready and in the right frame of mind to face the challenge ahead.

Which will pretty much be a 20ft long walkway of 1,236 degree Fahrenheit burning wood embers and you will be doing it in your bare feet.

Andy said:

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"My approach to challenges, including when I was on I’m a Celebrity, was just to throw myself into them and make the most of the experience.

"Not everyone is lucky enough to get the chance to test themselves the way that I did, but a Firewalk definitely comes close.

"Please sign up to help raise lots of money for an amazing cause – they have supported my family in the past and I’ll always be grateful to everyone at St Ann’s Hospice. 

"Good luck to everyone taking part, and remember, you can do it!"

 

Chief Exec of St Ann's, Eamonn O'Neal, said:

Quote

 

"Blaze provides the longest fire-walk in the UK, so it really is the ultimate challenge for anyone wanting to test their metal.

"I can imagine the walk will be a life-changing event for those who take part, so please do sign up to help us raise lots of money for local patients and their families.

"Our Fire-walk is the perfect challenge for all fitness levels and groups and corporate teams are welcome to take part.

"The organisers are very experienced, so people can expect to go away from the event feeling empowered and ready to tackle any challenge."

 

So do you fancy hot footing it for St Ann's?

To register for the Fire-walk or for further information click the link below or call the events team on 0161 498 3646 or email events@sah.org.uk.

https://www.sah.org.uk/events/firewalk/

As many on our SalfordOnline Facebook group will be aware, at around 16:45 on Friday 31st January a lovely young lady was sadly mugged at knife-point on Whitehead Road, Clifton.

Amongst the items stolen was this silver, love heart ring which contained the ashes of her baby who sadly passed away at just 23 weeks.

As someone myself who has lost a child at an early age I can not even start to explain just how important it is to get this back to her, as a parent myself I know full well just how heartbreaking it must be for her.

And so if you have been offered this ring or if you are the one who took it then search your conscience and do the right thing, get it back to her. This lady has suffered enough and honestly does not deserve to suffer any more.

She is not bothered about the other items, they are just items that can be replaced, this however can never be replaced and it's sentimental value to her can never have a price put upon it. So please, if you have it, if you took it, if you have been offered it or bought it from someone. 

Do the right thing, return it now, it is worth nothing to you now, just give it back and end this ladies pain.

If you have any information, please contact GMP (via 101 or Livechat) quoting log number 2086 31/01/20 or via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555111

Another inmate in his 20's has been injured after a violent slash attack at HMP Forrest Bank.

Police have said that an investigation has been launched into an attack on a man which took place on Sunday 26th Jan at HMP Forrest Bank in Agecroft. However they were not made aware of the incident until three days later when it was reported to them by staff at the prison on the 29th Jan.

Director at the prison Mr Matt Spencer, said:

Quote

“I can confirm an incident occurred on 26th January. While a police investigation is ongoing it would be inappropriate to comment further.”

Police say that enquiries are on going at this stage.

This latest attack is just one in a number of incidents which have been reported to have taken place at the Cat B prison, in November 2019 a man suffered a severe head injury after an attack and another suffered a slash wound to his face.

It has been reported earlier that up to a third of prisoners have previously spoken of their fears and concerns over their safety at the Privately ran Sodexo prison.

With a capacity of 1460 male prisoners the prison has experienced five deaths over the past 14 months with the latest death reported over the weekend on Sunday the 1st of September. Since the prison opened in 2000 it has seen 10 deaths in custody.

Photo: SM

Officers from the Salford North East Neighbourhood Team working closely with local housing providers have managed to recover two stolen motorcycles, one of which police believed to have been used in personal robberies and also a vehicle believed to have been used another in crime.

Stolen motorcycles or scooters have often been used in crimes which target people carrying valuable items, thieves use the bikes to quickly mount pavements to snatch mobile phones and handbags from unsuspecting victims, allowing them to make a speedy get away.

Salford also has an increasing problem with instances with antisocial behavior from youths on motorcycles who only last week were reported to have been driving wildly in and out of traffic in Eccles after being earlier been spotted trying to cause damage to a building close to the local Aldi store.

A man has been charged with two counts of criminal damage and one count of theft after police were called to a Betfred Shop in Salford on Monday (3rd Feb).

Police responded to a report that a man had entered the shop and stole £1025 as a member of staff was in the process of emptying a games machine. After a heated exchange with staff the man left the building kicking and damaging the door on his way out.

The following day (Tuesday 4th Feb) the same man returned once more and this time smashed a glass panel in a door before making a quick get-away.

After a search by officers from Salford North East Neighbourhood Team the man was located and subsequently arrested.

He was taken to be interviewed at the local police station and charged then released with what police say are stringent bail conditions pending his future appearance in court.