61-YEAR-OLD MAN ARRESTED FOLLOWING SERIES OF CITY CENTRE ROBBERIES AND ASSAULT

Officers have arrested a man in connection with a series of robberies on women in Manchester city centre.

Between around midnight and 6am on Sunday (13 March 2022), a series of robberies were reported in the city centre including one where a member of staff received a hand injury.

The first robbery was reported on Portland Street where staff were threatened and cash was taken. Three further robberies were reported at businesses on Dale Street, Piccadilly where two women received minor injuries, and Dickinson Street.

Following extensive CCTV enquiries by local officers, a 61-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of four counts of robbery and assault. He remains in custody at this time.

Detective Inspector Peter Morley, from the City of Manchester division, said:

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"These reported robberies were on women who were either staff or shopping and thankfully, no one was seriously injured but they have all been left understandably shaken.

"Local officers have been following up various lines of enquiry and exhausting CCTV opportunities and have since arrested a man.

"We will continue to take action to reduce the number of robberies across the region, especially in the city centre where we have regular patrols as part of Operation Valiant - our anti-robbery operation. Not only this, but we want to make sure that women and girls feel safe in public spaces and GMP recently announced its strategy to tackle violence against women and girls which is a top priority.

"We will target perpetrators and take strong action against anyone who poses a threat to women and girls."

 

For more information on Operation Valiant and advice on how to keep safe from robberies, visit: Operation Valiant | Greater Manchester Police (gmp.police.uk). Read more about GMP's violence against women and girls strategy here: GMP launch new policing plan to make Greater Manchester a safer place for women and girls. | Greater Manchester Police