This morning (22 June 2022), officers from GMPs Serious and Organised Crime Group (SOCG), executed twelve warrants across Wigan, Bolton and Bury as part of ‘Operation Byron’ one of the Greater Manchester Police forces many investigations into the large scale sale and distribution of controlled drugs across the region.

Police used recovered messages from an encrypted messaging services used by criminals known as Encrochat, the contents of the messages allowed police to identify and build enough evidence to be able to execute warrants on those involved.

As a result of the raids, a total of nine people were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A drugs, including eight men and one woman ranging in age from 19 to 51 years old, they remain in custody for questioning.

Detective Inspector Justin Bryant, of GMPs Serious and Organised Crime Group, said:

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“ This was a fantastic result this morning with just over £350,000 worth of drugs seized as well as cash, mobile phones and drug paraphernalia from the properties we raided.

"Op Byron was set up in 2021 and is an ongoing investigation with hours of meticulous work undertaken by the team to pinpoint offenders and build up enough evidence to be able to execute warrants and bring these criminals to justice.”

“As part of the investigation we have recovered hundreds of messages from organised crime group members using ‘Encrochat’ – the encrypted messaging service used almost exclusively by criminals in a bid to evade police, which has allowed us to further identify the offenders.

“Drugs feature across many different types of crime, from burglary and antisocial behaviour to criminal exploitation and modern day slavery, to name but a few. It is a priority therefore for us to disrupt the drugs market through early intervention and diversion to stop this type of crime from ruining our communities.

“If you spot something or have information that might help us take dealers off the streets please come forward. You can report it to us on 101 or 999 if it’s an emergency, or you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. You can also give us information via LiveChat on our website at www.gmp.police.uk.”

 

Today sees the publication of the independent review into historic safeguarding practices in Oldham.

This was commissioned in November 2019 by Oldham Council who requested that the Mayor of Greater Manchester and the Greater Manchester Safeguarding Standards Board’s independent chair conduct a review into safeguarding practices in Oldham.

You can read more about the review and its report on the GMCA website.

The review found that the safeguarding arrangements that were in place at Oldham Council and Greater Manchester Police during the period covered by the review were not good enough to protect children from sexual abuse, particularly highlighting the case of one 12 year-old girl ‘Sophie’.

Chief Constable Stephen Watson said:

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“The safeguarding arrangements that were in place in GMP during the time period covered by the review were not good enough to protect children from sexual abuse.

“I want to offer my sincere apologies to everyone affected by the events considered in the report. Our actions fell far short of the help that they had every right to expect and were unacceptable. I am sorry for the hurt and on-going trauma they have suffered because of what happened to them.

“I intend to meet directly with Sophie and those that have been supporting her through this very difficult time and I welcome being able to apologise to her in person. However, I would also like to take the opportunity today to state publicly that I am very sorry for the failings in how we responded to her call for help; for how we did not record or sufficiently investigate the crimes committed against her and did not do enough to listen and support her during the subsequent reviews we undertook of her case. 

“I offer no excuses but can give assurances that our approach to tackling child exploitation has vastly improved and is now a policing priority”. 

 

Information on how to report a crime is available on our website Report a crime | Greater Manchester Police (gmp.police.uk)

Advice and support is available from several organisations:

Get help and support from St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) by calling 0161 276 6515. You can ask them not to share any information with the police.

Call the Samaritans on 116 123, 24 hours a day.

Call Victim Support on  0808 16 89 111

Call the Oldham Council Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub on 0161 770 1045 between 8.40am and 4.40pm Monday to Friday.

Better ticketing and fare offers for passengers could be a little nearer thanks to the launch of a new support service for the North's non-mayoral local authorities being offered by the sub-national Transport Body, Transport for the North.

Transport for the North's 'Connected Mobility Hub' will provide Local Transport Authorities (LTA's) with specialist support so they can develop and deliver new ticketing initiatives for passengers.

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"Smarter and more connected journeys for passengers is a shared ambition for many of the North's transport authorities who want to offer a slicker, fairer and more joined-up ticketing service," said Matt Smallwood, Head of Digital Strategy for TfN. "What we are offering is shared expertise which removes the need for re-inventing the wheel."

Transport for the North has secured a year's funding from the Department for Transport to help launch the Connected Mobility Hub service, which will provide support for at least five key projects over the next 12 months.

"The pilot will provide support for at least five projects which I hope will span more than five local authorities," Matt continued. "At least one project will be to support the development of new multi-operator ticketing arrangements and another will be around making smarter use of open data around bus services."

 

TfN's Connected Mobility Hub will also offer 'clear and authoritative' guidance to help the North's LTAs upskill their local resources and encourage a more standardised approach to technological deployments.

The guidance offered by Transport for the North will:

Support the development and delivery of multi-operator ticketing

Support fares simplification and reform

Help areas prepare for contactless capping

Matt added:

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"Throughout June and into July we will be inviting partners to put in their requests for support. We will then prioritise these requests by where we can add the best value and work from there."

The new initiative is a Signiant step towards a public transport network in the North that can offer capped contactless fares, multimodal, tickets and real-time information systems that make travel across the North as painless as it is in places like London.

"It's a step at a time," said Matt, "but we have the expertise to begin this journey and developing a regional centre of excellence on connected mobility will surely help as we work together to get to the finish line."

 

Further information on the new initiative is available: https://transportforthenorth.com/onenorth/connected-mobility-connected-mobility-hub/

Jordan Smith (06/05/92) of Hulme Street, Manchester has been charged with two counts of attempted murder and section 18 assault. He was remanded in custody ahead of a hearing at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court this morning.

This morning (Thursday 16 June 2022), a 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. He remains in police custody for questioning.

At around 2.15am on Monday 13 June 2022, police were made aware of two injured males at the junction of Deansgate and Peter Street.

The victims were in a nearby licensed premises when they witnessed an unknown male having an altercation with two unknown males. Following this, the victims befriended the one male and his girlfriend. Shortly before 2.15am, the victims left the licensed premises. Immediately afterwards, one suspect, who was lying in wait by hiding in doorways and behind vehicles whilst using his mobile phone, was picked up by a black Nissan Qashqai which was driven along Peter Street before turning right on to Jerusalem Place. The two occupants then alighted the vehicle before running back to Peter Street where they attacked the victims for around one minute before making their way back to the vehicle, which left the city centre via Bootle Street, Deansgate and Quay Street.

The victims were taken to hospital with serious head injuries, where two of them remain for treatment.

Anyone with information should contact police 0161 856 9272 quoting  273 13/06/22 or gmp.police.uk. Information can also be shared via the independent charity – Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, is today announcing his intention to accelerate the introduction of affordable bus fares to help people with the cost-of-living crisis.

From September 1 2022, the Mayor plans to cap single journey fares at £1 for children and £2 for adults. In addition, there will be a new £5 daily ticket people can buy which will allow for unlimited travel on all operators.

Subject to agreement with the Government and bus operators, the new fare structure will come in a year earlier than originally planned and apply across the whole of Greater Manchester from day one. 

As a result of this move, the Mayor is calling on people across Greater Manchester to support the building of the new Bee Network by switching to public transport and helping make the new fare system financially sustainable in the long term.

Whilst the Government has provided funding to help improve bus services, it has not provided funding to cover the shortfall of passengers following the pandemic. To minimise the financial risks, the Mayor will soon launch a major public campaign encouraging people to switch to the bus - and, in doing so, help our city-region secure the London-style Bee Network it desperately needs.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: 

Quote

 

“In March, I announced our plans for £2 capped single fares for adults and £1 for children, to be introduced from autumn 2023 as we began to franchise our bus network. Given the immense financial pressure the cost-of-living pressures are putting on the people of our city-region, I am announcing my intention to introduce these fares on 1 September this year, subject to agreement with Government and Bus Operators. 

“Alongside these affordable single fares, we will also introduce a £5 daily ticket which will offer unlimited travel on all bus operators within Greater Manchester. 

“My message to the people of our city-region is simple: Greater Manchester needs you. Use public transport and make the most of these affordable fares. Only you can make this sustainable. To make affordable and capped fares permanent, we need people to take the bus. We’re on an exciting journey and we need the whole of the city region to get behind it.  

“Franchising our buses, bringing them back under public control, and lowering fares are a key part of creating the Bee Network– the London-style transport system - that our region needs and deserves. However, we now need more people to support our public transport system by using it.” 

 

In March 2022, the Mayor announced plans to introduce capped fares that would see adult single bus journeys cost no more than £2, and single child journeys no more than £1 to be introduced as the bus network comes under public control, from autumn 2023.

However, the Mayor and Greater Manchester Leaders have agreed that action must be taken sooner with the cost-of-living crisis hitting people hard. 

The Mayor is planning to use funding that the Government has indicated it will provide to Greater Manchester for its Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) to implement the bus fare caps for an initial 12-month period. However, as Greater Manchester only received around half of the BSIP funding it needs from Government, the fare caps will need to be reviewed annually, with the first review in September 2023. Government has made it clear that lowering fares and investing in measures to improve bus journey times are the two key priorities for BSIP funding. 

Gary Nolan, Chief Executive of OneBus, the Greater Manchester Bus Operator’s Association, said: 

Quote

“Local bus companies are keen to play their part in encouraging more people to use buses as an easy, environmentally-friendly way of getting around the region. This financial support to cap bus fares across the region will help do this and will benefit the bus network and passengers in the long run. We’re pleased to support it.” 

Transformed bus services are a key part of realising the Bee Network vision, which aims to: provide attractive and affordable public transport and active travel choices for all; support the electrification of vehicles and public transport fleets to deliver on our ambitious decarbonisation targets; promotes levelling up through the provision of sustainable transport connectivity to key growth locations and the provision of affordable public transport options for all our communities.  

The region's buses will be run in a London-style system where operators bid to run services on a franchise basis. Franchising will also enable simplified, integrated fares, ticketing and journey information with daily and weekly far caps.

At around 2.15am on Monday 13 June 2022, we were made aware of injured males at the junction of Deansgate and Peter Street.

The victims were taken to hospital with serious head injuries, where two of them remain for treatment.

Officers have established that the victims were in a nearby licensed premises when they witnessed an unknown male having an altercation with two unknown males. Following this, the victims befriended the unknown male and his girlfriend. Shortly before 2.15am, the victims left the licensed premises. Immediately afterwards, one suspect, who was lying in wait by hiding in doorways and behind vehicles whilst using his mobile phone, was picked up by a black Nissan Qashqai which was driven along Peter Street before turning right on to Jerusalem Place. The two occupants then alighted the vehicle before running back to Peter Street where they attacked the victims for around one minute before making their way back to the vehicle, which left the city centre via Bootle Street, Deansgate and Quay Street.

A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. He remains in police custody for questioning.

Detective Sergeant Paddy Connell, of GMP’s City of Manchester division CID , said:

Quote

 

“I cannot express the severity of this attack – the victims were struck with a brick numerous times to the head before being punched and kicked. As our investigation continues, we wish them a speedy recovery.

“It is imperative that we identify all involved so we can bring those responsible to face justice.

“We are now in a position to appeal to members of the public for help to identify the man in the image, who we would like to speak to about the incident. We are also appealing for anyone with information, whether this be a verbal account or images from CCTV or dash cam, to contact us.’’

“Finally, we are appealing for the unknown male and his girlfriend to come forward. We have reason to believe that they are from Merseyside. I would like to stress that they are not suspects in this investigation but we believe they may have vital information which can assist us.”

 

Anyone with information should make contact via 0161 856 9272 quoting  273 13/06/22 or gmp.police.uk. Information can also be shared via the independent charity – Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

‘Operation Falcon’ aims to identify those involved in money laundering in a bid to disrupt wider organised crime in Greater Manchester.

The forces Economic and Cyber Crime section has increased the size of its asset recovery team and brought in a brand new dedicated money laundering unit, who will work together with partner agencies to recover ill gotten gains from organised crime groups and prosecute those involved.

Just this week, the team were granted a successful forfeiture order at Tameside Magistrates Court for more than £200,000 in cash that was seized as part of Op Falcon. As part of the national Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme, the full amount will be sent to the Home Office with 50% returned to GMP which will then be used for policing projects and to support local charities and community initiatives.

Detective Chief Inspector Joe Harrop, of GMPs Economic Crime Team, said: 

Quote

 

"Our Economic and Cyber Crime Section is committed to disrupting organised crime and dismantling networks involved in financial crimes.

“Op Falcon is our dedicated focus to deal with cash based money laundering which costs the UK economy billions of pounds. It is this illicit cash which often serves as the motivator for organised crime.

“Our teams involved in Op Falcon will continue to work together to hunt for, recover and keep criminal assets in order for this to be reinvested into our community.

“We will do everything in our power to ensure Greater Manchester is not a safe haven for illicit funds, whether they be from drug trafficking, fraud, the sale of counterfeit goods or the supply of illegal prescription medication.

“No matter how hard attempts are made to hide the money through front businesses, we will find it, forfeit it, and reinvest it back into the community of Greater Manchester.”

 

Anyone with information about suspicious financial activity can report it to us online through our online crime reporting form, or by calling 101. You can also report via our Live Chat service on our website: www.gmp.police.uk

Details can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police say that 44-years-old Suleman Altaf, of no fixed address, has been charged with murder after the  fatal stabbing of 15-year-old Jakub Szymanski and the attempted murder his mother, additionally he was charged with having an article in a public place.

He has been remanded in custody ahead of a hearing at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court today (Monday 13th June 2022).

The heroic teenager was stabbed as he defended his mother at a property in Miles Platting, his mother was also stabbed during the incident which took place on Thursday 9 June 2022.

Detectives have released images of a male they want to speak to after a man died following an assault in Manchester.

At around 4.45am on 2 June 2022, officers were called to a report of an assault on Bloom Street in Manchester city centre. Emergency services attended and 59-year-old David Aubert was taken to hospital and later left on his own accord.

Days later on 6 June 2022, officers received a report that David was missing by a family member and a missing report was submitted. Two days later, David was sadly found dead at an address on Upper Brook Street in Longsight at around 11am.

A murder inquiry was subsequently launched and a number of lines of enquiry are continuing to be followed up.

Detective Chief Inspector David Meeney, from GMP’s City of Manchester division, said:

Quote

 

“Detectives have been working throughout the weekend to piece together the events of what happened that night and give David’s family and friends the answers they deserve.

“Following meticulous CCTV checks, we’re now in a position to release images of a male we want to speak to as part of our on-going investigation.”

 

Anyone with information or anyone who recognises the male is asked to call 0161 856 1259 or report it online or via LiveChat at www.gmp.police.uk.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The family of a 15-year-old boy who died in Manchester on Thursday night have paid tribute to their ‘funny and cheeky boy’ as the investigation continues.

Officers were called by colleagues from North West Ambulance Service to an address on Bednal Avenue in Miles Platting where a 15-year-old boy was treated at the scene for stab wounds.

Jakub Szymanski was taken to hospital where he sadly died around an hour later. His mother - a woman in her 40s - was also treated at the scene for serious stab wounds and was taken to hospital where she is remains in a stable condition.

His family said:

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“Jakub was lovingly known as Kuba to his family and Jakub to his friends. He was always a popular child making friends wherever he went due to his friendly and chatty nature.

“He always spoke his mind, he was mischievous, funny and a cheeky boy. He loved his Xbox and football, supporting Manchester City.

“He was like every other teenage boy and was helpful to so many people, even those he just met. To our family, he’s our hero.”

 

A 44-year-old man from Manchester was arrested in Kent last night (10 June 2022) on suspicion of murder. He is believed to be known to the victims and is currently being questioned.

Detective Chief Inspector Alicia Smith, from GMP’s Major Incident Team, said:

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“We’re still continuing with our investigation and last night’s arrest has been a huge step in potentially getting a grieving family the answers they so badly need.

“A teenage boy who had his whole life ahead of him has tragically lost his life and not only is his mother grieving at the loss of her son, but she is also recovering from what will have been no doubt, hugely traumatic.

“We would still like to hear from anyone with any information, or anyone who may have seen anything. Report it online at www.gmp.police.uk or alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

 

Officers have launched a murder inquiry after a man died following an assault in Manchester.

At around 4.45am on 2 June 2022, officers were called to a report of an assault on Bloom Street in Manchester city centre. Emergency services attended and 59-year-old David Aubert was taken to hospital and later left on his own accord.

Days later on 6 June 2022, officers received a report that David was missing by a family member and a missing report was submitted. Two days later, David was sadly found dead at an address on Upper Brook Street in Longsight at around 11am.

In a tribute, his family said:

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“Dave was an easy-going, likeable chap who was well known in the local area and often seen riding around on his bicycle.

“He had a caring nature, with not a mean bone in his body, and was well liked by all who knew him.

“He liked his routine, was set in his ways and happy and content with his lot. He didn’t have a care in the world and lived his life without causing any hurt to anyone else.

“Dave’s death, under such tragic circumstances, has had a devastating effect on all who knew him, and has left his three brothers with the heart-breaking task of learning to live without him.”

 

The incident has been referred to GMP’s Professional Standards Branch who have referred it to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

Detective Chief Inspector David Meeney, from GMP’s City of Manchester division, said:

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“Our thoughts are with David’s family who are understandably devastated and desperately wanting some answers which a number of detectives are currently working on answering.

“The investigation is very much on-going and we’re following up a number of lines of enquiry already including thorough CCTV checks.

“We’re keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the assault on Bloom Street or anyone who may have heard from David to get in touch. Even the smallest bit of information may be vital.”

 

Anyone with information or anyone who may have seen anything is asked to call 0161 856 1259 or report it online or via LiveChat at www.gmp.police.uk.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Detectives have launched a murder inquiry after a teenage boy died following the stabbing of a mother and son at a house in north Manchester last night.

Officers were called by colleagues from the North West Ambulance Service to an address on Bednal Avenue, in the Miles Platting area, at about 9:30pm on Thursday 9 June.

A 14-year old boy was treated at the scene by the emergency services for stab wounds before being taken by ambulance to hospital, where he sadly died around an hour later.

His mother - a woman in her 40s - was also treated at the scene for serious stab wounds and was taken to hospital where she is thankfully in a stable condition.

Our specially-trained officers are supporting the mother and her family at this devastating time.

Initial enquiries suggest the attacker is known to the victims and that this is a domestic incident.

He is described as an Asian man wearing dark clothing, aged in his mid-40s, with a medium build, and a medium height.

He was last seen walking on Sawley Road shortly after the attack took place.

Anyone who thinks they may see him is asked not to approach him and to call 999.

A large cordon remains in place in Miles Platting as investigators continue to probe the scene.

No arrests have been made and a murder investigation is being led by our Major Incident Team.

Detective Chief Inspector Gina Brennand, of our Major Incident Team, said:

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“Last night’s events are nothing short of devastating as a teenage boy has tragically lost his life and a mother is grieving in hospital after also being seriously attacked.

“We have trained family liaison officers dedicated to supporting her and her family at this incredibly distressing time, and we are committed to doing all we can to make sure we bring the person responsible to justice.

“This is a shocking incident for the people of Manchester to wake up to, but I do wish to stress that our enquiries so far suggest this was a contained and domestic-related incident; however, anyone that sees a man fitting our description looking suspicious should not approach him and call 999.

“This is a ferocious attack that has seen a teenage boy fatally injured and we are working at a tremendous pace to find the person that did this and to take them off the streets and into custody where we can continue to piece together what we know about this utterly tragic incident.”

 

Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting incident 3105 of 09/06/2022.

Information can also be reported online or by using the LiveChat function at www.gmp.police.uk.  

If you can't report online, call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Communities across Greater Manchester can now apply for grants of up to £40,000 to improve or create local green spaces in their area.

Marking the Decarbonisation Summit event at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester on 7-8 June 2022, Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham has announced that applications for the Greater Manchester Green Spaces Fund are now live.

The £2.6million scheme supports community-led projects that increase the amount and quality of accessible, nature-rich green space in the region, particularly in the areas where people need it most. It gives small grants to communities to improve local green spaces or create new ones.

Projects should improve accessible spaces through physical improvements to make them better places for nature and people. These projects could take place in parks, community gardens, streets, schools, housing estates, canals/streams/rivers, and existing nature reserves. There are two types of grants available: grants up to £10,000 and grants between £10,000 and £40,000. For more information and to apply visit the Greater Manchester Environmental Fund website.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said:

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“Local green spaces are such an important part of our efforts to improve the environment, support local wildlife and offer local people a great place to live. Everyone should have access to high-quality green spaces, regardless of where they live, and I’m pleased we’re able to launch this scheme which will further support our ambitions for a greener and fairer future.

“In Greater Manchester, we’re serious about making the changes needed so we can reach our target of becoming a carbon neutral city region by 2038 and for our region to be a greener and fairer place for everyone.”

 

Cllr Neil Emmott, Lead for Green City Region and Waste & Recycling, said:

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“Improving and maintaining local green spaces can go such a long way in not only improving air quality and carbon levels, but it’s also great for social and mental wellbeing. Through our Green Spaces Fund, people across the whole of our region can now apply for grants to improve or create new green spaces in their area.

“These scheme will build on the great work already going on across Greater Manchester to make our region a greener and fairer place for everyone.” 

 

Police are asking for help from the public in finding Daniel Kinsey who comes from North Manchester?

He was last seen on Delaunay's Road in Crumpsall, at around 12pm today (8th June).

Daniel is described as being 5ft 9in tall with a receding hairline.

He was last seen to be wearing a black Gym King tracksuit but it is suspected he has a change of clothes.

He is a vulnerable adult and can become violent when confronted, so members of the public should contact police immediately on 0161 856 3734/4038 if they spot him.

A line launcher, suspected class A drugs and several drones have been recovered after officers from Salford’s Operation Arctic executed a warrant at a property in Salford.

Two women were arrested and have been released under investigation.

A spokesperson for the Op Dragonfire team said:

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“We suspect this piece of equipment, the legitimate use of which is firing lines between ships, was used to launch drinks cans full of contraband over prison walls and into the exercise yards.

“Fighting, preventing and reducing this type of crime is of great importance. The sale of contraband fuels further offending amongst prisoners, subsequently putting prison officers and staff at risk.

“GMP will continue to work closely will colleagues from partner agencies, including the Regional Organised Crime Unit, Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service and our local prisons, to disrupt organised criminals responsible for these offences.”

 

Anyone with information about this type of crime should contact us quoting Operation Dragonfire via gmp.police.uk, 101 or the independent charity - Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Two serving officers in Manchester have been charged with making or distributing an indecent image of a child.

Cameron Barker (26) and James Williams (39) – both police constables in the City of Manchester – will appear on Thursday 14 July at Tameside Magistrates’ Court accused of the offence.

It relates to an image that is alleged to have been exchanged between the pair in March 2019.

Both officers have been suspended by our Professionals Standards Branch pending the outcome of criminal proceedings and any subsequent misconduct hearing.

Secretary of State, George Eustice has written to Metro Mayor Andy Burnham, suggesting that the CAZ should be cut to just the City Centre region which would be a massive 95pc downsize of the current targeted area.

The Government proposals would see a drastic cut in the coverage area of the CAZ but would also still require vehicles which do not meet the legal pollution limits to be charged, the majority of which would be taxis, buses, trucks and vans operated by business owners who are already feeling the pinch as diesel prices hit historic highs this week.

Cars owners were never targeted under the original scheme and that would remain the same under the new proposals, however campaigners claim that they could be included in the future.

Mr Burnham has called for all charges to be scrapped after he himself came under heavy criticism over the planned implementation of the controversial scheme which motorists branded the 'Burnham Tax', which was due to come into force in May before being suspended.

Some vehicles would and still could be charged up to £60 per day to enter the zone in which ever form it finally takes. Those charges would in all likelihood filter down to the public in one way or another.

Mr Eustice wrote in his letter:

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"A highly-targeted Category C charging scheme, over a small area where NO2 impacts are most concentrated, in practice Manchester city centre, could represent a path between two extremes, achieving most of the public health benefits of the original scheme while greatly reducing the potential impacts on local businesses.

"Early thoughts by my department are that you should be challenging yourselves to a reduction of the zone by some 95% or more. Similar or more ambitious schemes have been introduced or are soon to be introduced in several other city centres which suffer less serious air quality problems than Manchester's."

 

A decision on the future final implementation of the scheme is due to be taken soon, with requirements that NO2 emissions be cut to compliant limits no later than the 2026 deadline as set out by the Government.

Police have issued an appeal to help them find missing 19-year-old Megan, who has not been seen since around 5pm yesterday (Tuesday 31st May).

Police say she was last seen in Mosley but could be anywhere within Greater Manchester or beyond.

Megan may be driving a white Vauxhall Corsa which has the registration plate SA14 XZC.

She was last known to be wearing a black jumper with yellow writing on the back and short along with black gym shorts.

Police have described her as being 5ft 4in tall, brown eyes as well as medium-length, brown, curly hair.

Megan is also known to have links to the Huddersfield and Leeds areas of West Yorkshire.

Anyone who has any information about her whereabouts is being urged to contact officers as soon as possible on 0161 856 9125.

Over 130 firearms have been handed in and taken off the streets following a national two-week long Firearms Surrender.

The National Firearm Surrender campaign, co-ordinated by the National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS), started on 12 May until 29 May 2022 and included every police force in the UK as part of a crackdown on reducing violent crime and ridding lethal weapons from the streets.

A total of 139 firearms - including a self-loading pistol and sawn off shot gun – were handed in. Following proactive work by officers, 12 more were also seized bringing the total to 151.

Firearms legislation is regularly updated and officers urged people to surrender unlawfully held or unwanted guns and ammunition to help avoid them getting into the wrong hands. The aim wasn’t just to target those involved in criminal behaviour, it was also aimed at collectors, licence holders and anyone who may have inherited a firearm.

Detective Superintendent John Griffith, of GMP’s Serious Crime Division, said:

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“Any ammunition or any firearm that gets handed in is one less on the street for criminals to get their hands on.

“We remain committed to robustly investigating serious crime, specifically targeting those in possession or transferring firearms and ammunition as they post a real, serious threat across the UK. The 30% drop in discharges over the last 12 months across Greater Manchester is a result of some hard work as we continue to take such lethal weapons off the streets.

“Guns have no place in the region and this surrender is a result of continued efforts from officers and our partners as we work together to safeguard, intervene and educate at the earliest opportunity to hopefully save lives and make Greater Manchester a safer place to live, work and visit.

“Communities really hold the key to helping reduce crime and providing us with information that may assist with our on-going investigations. Members of the public who may know of anyone involved in illegal firearms activity is asked to report it online or via LiveChat at https://www.gmp.police.uk, call 101 or report it anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

 

Shortly after 10.10pm on Saturday 28 May, we were notified of an incident involving a black Volkswagen Golf and a red Kia Rio on Chorley New Road, at the junction with Beaumont Road.

Five casualties received treatment; the most serious being a back-seat passenger in the Kia - a 50-year-old woman – whose condition is described as life-threatening as she remains in hospital.

Thankfully, none of the other casualties – including the drivers of both cars – were required to stay the night in hospital.

A 43-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and later released under investigation.

Officers from our Serious Collision Investigation Unit have begun to conduct their initial enquiries into what caused the collision, and are asking anyone with information or dash-cam footage from the area on Saturday night to contact them as it could prove to be vital evidence.

Anyone with information should call us on 0161 856 4741 quoting incident 3327 of 28/05/2022.

Details can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111