A murderer who conspired with his brother to commit a terrorist attack at the Manchester Arena that killed 22 people has been sentenced.

Hashem Abedi (08/04/1997), formerly of Fallowfield, was today (Thursday 20 August 2020) at the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey), London ordered to serve a minimum of 55 years behind bars.

It follows a six week trial concluding in March 2020 that found Abedi guilty of 22 counts of murder, attempted murder and conspiracy to cause an explosion likely to endanger life.

Hashem plotted with his brother Salman in the months leading up to the attack, building a bomb that was detonated by Salman while people left the Manchester Arena following a music concert.

Hashem persuaded close acquaintances to purchase chemicals that could be used to manufacture explosives, sourced metal drums that were used to build bomb prototypes and bought a white Nissan Micra car that was used to store bomb components in Manchester while the brothers were in Libya.

He also acted as his brother’s driver, travelling with Salman between addresses on Lindum Street, Rusholme and Somerton Court, Blackley where the brothers manufactured explosives.

After helping Salman accumulate materials needed to construct the final version of the bomb, the pair flew to Libya to see family on 15 April 2017.

While abroad, bomb components were stored in the Nissan Micra, parked near Devell House in Rusholme, before Salman returned to Manchester and created the final version of the bomb in a flat at Granby House in the city centre.

Salman detonated the device he and his brother created during the evening of 22 May 2017, killing himself and 22 other people, and injuring almost 1,000 members of the public.

Hashem was arrested in Libya the following day and successfully extradited to the UK on 17 July 2019.
 

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“Today marks the end of a three year quest for justice, following one of the worst terrorist attacks this country has seen, and one of the darkest days in our city’s history.
 
“Of course, for the families and friends of those twenty two souls whose lives were brutally cut short that night in May 2017, the pain will never fully diminish.  

“I know that no sentence will ever make amends for their loss, nor the suffering of the more than 1,000 people injured – many seriously or left with deep psychological wounds – who continue to live with the effect of this cowardly attack.

“I can only hope it brings some small measure of comfort to them that Abedi will spend the vast majority of the rest of his life behind bars – where he belongs.

“The division and hatred he sought to foster was, amidst the pain, met by strength and unity – by the courage of the victims’ families, the bravery of the survivors and the kindness and generosity of Greater Manchester as a whole.

“As we move forward from today I will choose to remember that enduring spirit – of a city galvanised against hatred that will never forget, nor fail to support those who continue to be affected.”  
Deputy Mayor for Policing, Crime, Criminal Justice and Fire, Bev Hughes, said: “Today, and every day, our thoughts are with those lost and their loved ones, those who were injured and everyone affected by the events of 22 May 2017.

“I would like to pay tribute to the dedicated officers and staff of Greater Manchester Police whose painstaking forensic investigations secured Abedi’s conviction and to the many other people who also worked tirelessly to secure his extradition and bring him back to face justice.

“While it is disappointing that Abedi couldn’t be given full life sentences due to his age at the time of the attack, I’m pleased the judge in this case has handed him the most severe penalty possible. Hashem Abedi has shown no remorse for his actions and the families of the victims were forced to endure a long and painful trial. He was not even in court to receive his sentence.

“I also want to remind the public that support is available for anyone who has been affected by this case and today’s sentencing, which may have triggered painful memories for those involved. Support is available via the Manchester Resilience Hub on 0333 009 5071 or visit GMVictims.org.uk.”

Greater Manchester Police warns enforcement action is being taken in response to breaches of Covid-19 restrictions and will be further increased if necessary.
 
Between Friday 14 and Sunday 16 August 2020, GMP recorded 863 incidents related to Covid-19. Of these, 62 related to licensed premises. 
 
Officers also proactively visited 250 premises and engaged with licensees and patrons to ensure that the required health and safety precautions were in place. In the majority of cases, they were found to be being compliant. However, a small minority who were not have been reported to the relevant licensing authorities who will engage further and establish whether or not enforcement is required. 

Throughout this global pandemic, GMP has been policing by consent. When responding to reports of breaches, officers have been engaging with people; explaining the restrictions to them and encouraging them to be compliant going forwards.  Enforcement has been a last resort. 

Since local restrictions were placed on Greater Manchester, there has been an unacceptable increase in the requirement for enforcement. Since Friday, GMP has taken the following action in response to breaches: 

·  Two closure orders have been issued following large gatherings at properties in the Gorton and Oldham areas. Under the Anti-social behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, closure orders prohibit access to the premises by anyone except residents. 

·  Road closures have been used to disperse a large gathering in the Rusholme area. A number of businesses were also encouraged to close voluntarily to assist. 

·  14 Fixed Penalty Notices have been issued. Recipients include a landlord who rented his property for a party and the organisers of a wedding in the Whalley Range area. 

GMP’s Deputy Chief Constable, Ian Pilling, said:

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“I would like to start by thanking those who are complying with the local restrictions and by saying that we understand this is a difficult time for people across Greater Manchester. However, I do not condone the behaviour which our officers have had to respond to this weekend - it is completely unacceptable. 
 
“Between Friday and Sunday, we received in excess of 800 reports of breaches of Covid-19 restrictions. These are in addition to the thousands of emergency and non-emergency reports which the force receives every weekend. This is obviously increasing demand on our services and means that officers might be dealing with a gathering when we receive a report of a critical or major incident. 
 
“We simply will not tolerate this selfish behaviour, which is demonstrated by the enforcement action we have taken this weekend and are prepared to take in future. When breaches are identified, officers have a number of options including issuing fixed penalty notices which result in fines and anti-social behaviour closure orders which prohibit anyone, except residents, entering a property for up to three months – this includes outside areas. 
 
“Covid-19 is still a real risk to people and we all have a responsibility to follow the rules to protect as many of our loved ones as possible. The rules are easy to follow and I strongly encourage anyone who isn’t 100 per cent sure about what they should and should not be doing to read the explanation on the Government’s website - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/north-west-of-england-local-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do.”

Police in Bury have launched a murder investigation after an 18-year-old man who was shot has sadly died.

At around 9.40pm on Wednesday 12 August 2020, police were called to reports of a firearms discharge on Chesham Road. 

Officers attended and established that an 18-year-old man had been shot.

The victim was rushed to hospital where he sadly died a short time later. His next of kin have now been informed and a murder investigation is underway. 

As yet there have been no arrests have made with police stating that they are still in the early stages of their investigation's. 

Chief Superintendent Stuart Ellison said:

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“This incident has resulted in a young man very sadly losing his life. I would like to start by saying that our thoughts are with his loved ones at this heart-breaking time and specially trained officers are doing everything they can to support them through this.

“Although we are in the early stages of our investigation, officers are carrying out extensive enquiries and following a number of lines of enquiry. We are committed to identifying the person responsible for this murder and ensuring that they face justice.  

“So far, we have established that a number of people were in the area at the time. We believe these people have vital information which will assist us and I urge them to pass that on to Greater Manchester Police or Crimestoppers, anonymously, immediately. I also encourage anyone else with information to contact us. 

“Finally, I would like to offer some reassurance by saying that we do not currently believe that this was a random attack. However, extra officers will be patrolling the surrounding area in the days to come so anyone with concerns can speak to them directly.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting 3452 of 12/08/20 or the independent charity – Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. 

NHS researchers seek participants for COVID-19 drugs trial taking place across Greater Manchester GP practices and communities

Greater Manchester and East Cheshire citizens experiencing COVID-19 symptoms have the opportunity to take part in a clinical trial of potential treatments that can be taken at home.

The Platform Randomised trial of Interventions against COVID-19 in older people (PRINCIPLE) trial is testing pre-existing drugs with older patients in the community who show signs of the disease.

It aims to slow or halt the progression of COVID-19 and prevent the need for hospital admission.

The trial has been running in Greater Manchester since April. However, with the infection rate in the region showing a significant spike in late July and into August, the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) in Greater Manchester is now especially keen to get more people recruited on to the trial as part of the effort to identify medicines that help people with COVID-19 symptoms get better quickly.

PRINCIPLE is the first trial of COVID-19 treatments to take place in primary care, and one of the UK government’s national priority platform trials on the disease.

Fifty GP practices across Greater Manchester and East Cheshire are recruiting people on to the trial. Participants must be aged 50 and over with underlying health conditions, or people aged over 65 regardless of underlying health conditions. 

In addition to this, the trial is also offering participants the opportunity to sign-up online. This means that irrespective of which GP surgery they are registered with, older people with coronavirus symptoms can now pre-screen for the trial at home via an online questionnaire to see whether they can be included.

PRINCIPLE is trialling a number of low-risk treatments recommended by an expert panel advising the Chief Medical Officer for England. The effectiveness of these treatments will be compared to the current best available care. In the current phase of the trial, researchers are evaluating the commonly-used antibiotics azithromycin and doxycycline.

Angela Houghton-Cole took part in PRINCIPLE after she developed COVID-19 symptoms in April.

The 52-year-old, who lives in Congleton, East Cheshire, said:

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“My GP sent me all the information and I was able to talk it over with my husband and mum before making my decision. Ultimately, I felt that if I could contribute towards research that will help us better understand this awful virus and possibly help other people in the future, then it was something I wanted to be part of.”

Dr Sheila McCorkindale, Specialty Lead for Primary Care at NIHR CRN Greater Manchester, said:

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“The recent increase in the number of COVID-19 infections in Greater Manchester highlights the ongoing  need for COVID-19 research. We can all help fight the virus by supporting clinical research and many thanks to everyone who's already contributed. 

“The PRINCIPLE clinical trial aims to find treatments that can help older people with COVID-19 symptoms get better quickly and stop them needing to go to hospital.

“I'd encourage everyone to take a look at the PRINCIPLE website or ask their GP or other healthcare provider about this study should they develop symptoms.”

 

Fifteen of the NHS GP practices run by SSP Health across Greater Manchester are delivering the PRINCIPLE trial.

Dr Shikha Pitalia, SSP Health director, said:

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“We are really pleased to be part of this trial, which we hope can find further effective treatments for people with COVID-19 and reduce the burden on the NHS.

“The success of the steroid dexamethasone in the RECOVERY trial for COVID-19 shows that breakthroughs can happen quickly and that patients who come forward to help in medical research play a vital role in finding new treatments that can save many lives.

“We are urging our patients to help in this new trial, if they fit the criteria and feel able to. They could play a huge part in our battle against this disease.”

 

The trial’s Chief Investigator, Professor Chris Butler, Professor of Primary Care in the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences at Oxford Univerisity, said:

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“The PRINCIPLE trial platform is enabling us to rapidly evaluate potential treatments for COVID-19 in older people who are most at risk of serious complications from the illness. With enough people recruited, this trial will give us the vital information we need to understand whether existing drugs can help people recover sooner and at home, without needing to be admitted to hospital – a significant milestone in the course of this pandemic.

“As soon as we find that any one of the drugs in our trial is making a critical difference to people’s health, we want it to be part of clinical practice as soon as it can be introduced.”

 

Criminals will often use fake job adverts, or create social media posts about opportunities to make money quickly, in order to lure potential money mule recruits. The money mule will then agree to share their bank details so that cash can be deposited into their account for them to follow instructions to send it into another bank account, keeping a small amount of the money for themselves. You won’t know where the money is coming from, or where it’s going, but it could be used to fund drugs, child trafficking or even terrorism.

Even if you’re unaware that the money you’re transferring was illegally obtained, you have played an important role in fraud and money laundering, and can still be prosecuted.

What to look out for

Cash or rewards in exchange for the use of your bank account.

Social media posts promoting easy ways of making money.

Job adverts that promise the chance to work from home, for high sums, little work and with no experience necessary.

How to protect yourself

No legitimate company will ever ask you to use your own bank account to transfer their money. Don’t accept any job offers that ask you to do this.

Be especially wary of job offers from people or companies overseas as it will be harder for you to find out if they really are legitimate.

Never give your financial details to someone you don’t know and trust.

Detective Sergeant Stacey Shannon, of GMP’s Economic Crime Hub, said:

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“Fraudsters will often target the vulnerable, in the case of money muling, this is young people or students who are often in need of money.

“Often the money mule is unaware that the money they are transferring is illegally obtained, however they have played a key role in money laundering and can still be prosecuted as this money finances more serious and violent crime. That’s why it is so important for people to take their time to consider taking part in something that promises to earn them quick money – there’s no such thing as easy money.

“I would also urge parents to be mindful of the tell-tale signs that their children could be a money mule. It could be that they suddenly have extra cash; they’re buying expensive new clothes or top-of-the-range mobile phones and gadgets with very little explanation as to how they got the money. They may also become more secretive, withdrawn or appear stressed.

“If you think you or someone you know has been affected, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.”

 

Following the announcement from Government regarding changes to local restrictions in Greater Manchester and other areas of the North West of England, those living in the affected areas must now not meet people from other households inside a private home or garden or socialise with them in other indoor public venues.

Once the legislation comes into place, Greater Manchester Police will continue with our approach of policing by consent and remain consistent with the four E’s approach that we have taken so far. We will continue to work with our communities. We will engage with people, explain the current circumstances and encourage people to do the right thing in complying with the government guidelines. We will only take enforcement action as a last resort, when people are not listening and putting others at risk.

The guidance around attending licensed premises remains the same in that the premises should be managing social distancing requirements. If it is clear they cannot meet this requirement, and people are not social distancing, then they will be expected to close or face the prospect of police enforcing closure.

This weekend we will be again increasing our resources dedicated to preventing illegal raves and large gatherings. We have already prevented a number of events from taking place, arrested a number of people in connection with the irresponsible organisation of unlicensed and seized equipment. There is a clear risk from attendance at any of these events or gatherings as there are no safety measures in place and we urge everyone to stay away. We understand the frustration of not being able to continue social lives, or visit friends and family, however the risk of Coronavirus is still present and attending events in large groups is in breach of Covid legislation.

Anyone - young and old - can catch coronavirus. If you or someone you’ve been close to tests positive, your life will be put on hold. The long-term health risks are not known and you could put your friends and family at serious risk by breaching the rules and socialising with people outside your household. The only way to stay safe and protect your family and loved ones is by following the guidelines outlined today.

We anticipate that the announced changes - along with the sunny weather forecast – will likely result in a rise in calls to police this weekend as people report potential breaches of the guidelines.

Please remember that if you call us unnecessarily, you are potentially taking a resource away from someone else that may be vulnerable and could urgently need our assistance. The LiveChat function on our website is open 24/7 to report crime and other concerns that do not require an emergency response. In addition to LiveChat, you can also report things through our website or by calling 101. Please only dial 999 in an emergency.

I want to assure the public that we will continue to risk assess all calls and enquiries and prioritise our response to those who need it most. We are working with community leaders and partners with our response to any breaches. I would also urge the public to look out for each other, as we have seen across Greater Manchester throughout the pandemic, particularly those who are most vulnerable at this time.

Today also marks Eid al-Adha so many of our Muslim communities will have woken up this morning to find that their celebrations this year may need to be changed at short notice. I can only imagine how upsetting this may be, and our officers will engage with community partners and our Muslim communities with understanding and compassion in the coming days to help explain the guidelines and keep people safe.

Finally I just want to once again say thank you to the people of Greater Manchester for their continued support as we have seen the vast majority of people following the guidelines and protecting those who are most vulnerable in our society. 

More information about the changes can be found on the Government website here.

As the new test and trace service for coronavirus is introduced, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) reminds the public to be vigilant when sharing personal information, as fraudsters are using the system as a new route to scam people.

Under the new service, those who test positive for Covid-19 will be contacted and asked to give information on people they have been in recent contact with. Those people will then be contacted and told to self-isolate to help stop the spread of the virus. However fraudsters, posing as contact tracers from the NHS, are tricking people into handing over information such as bank details, social media passwords or making payments for fake or non-existent Covid-19 testing kits.

To help the public protect themselves, GMP has released advice on how to spot a test and trace fraudster.

Detective Superintendent Estelle Mathieson, Head of GMP’s Economic Crime and Cyber Unit, said:

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“Fraudsters will always look to exploit people during a time of vulnerability, and currently we are seeing the uncertainty and change in normal life that Covid-19 has brought, as an avenue they are using for scams. The more advice and information we can give the people of Greater Manchester the better, so that they are educated and aware of what to look out for, and we reduce the number of people falling victim to scams in the first place.

“Real test and contact tracers will never ask for any form of payment or bank details, for you to dial a premium rate number or to access a website that does not belong to gov.uk. If someone contacts you via phone and you do feel unsure, ask for an email or text message to be sent inviting you Text and Trace website, and you can submit information that way.

“I would also encourage people to follow our @gmpfraud Twitter account to stay up to date with the latest scam advice.”

 

If you have been affected by this report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.  

Find out more information about the Test and Trace service, by visiting www.gov.uk.

Greater Manchester Police is urging anyone who is considering attending an illegal rave this weekend to stop and think.

Those attending an illegal rave face the prospect of arrest and prosecution. They are utterly unacceptable and we will do all we can to prevent them from happening.

We’re aware that there are possible further illegal raves being organised in the Greater Manchester area this weekend. There will be a dedicated policing operation in place, with a much higher police presence in potential hot spot areas. GMP is also liaising with neighbouring forces across the North West and working alongside key partners to broaden our intelligence picture in order to identify and determine where events may take place.

We’re actively encouraging the public and businesses to provide us with information around any future events. We want the public to understand that the way these events are coordinated often present a unique set of challenges for policing and mean that we have to adapt and change our approach. This means we’re calling on the public to help us – if you have any intelligence or hear about an event taking place, please get in touch with us so we can prevent it and ultimately save lives. The key to stopping these events is early intelligence.

Ahead of the weekend, GMP are joining forces with the North West Ambulance Service, as well as uniting with local industry experts, including Greater Manchester’s Night-time economy adviser Sacha Lord, to reiterate the dangers of illegal raves and events. Backing Sacha, will also be events producer Jon Drape, who is instrumental in the planning of festivals all over the country. The two experts will be sharing their own homemade videos in a bid to engage with young people across the region, reinforce the key safety messages and persuade people to make the right choices in the coming weeks. 

Alongside industry experts, the campaign is also being supported by Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, as well as the parents of a boy who was seriously stabbed at an unlicensed event last weekend. We hope that by uniting, we can warn young people of the significant risks posed by such events and keep our communities safe.  Together, we’re sending a clear message – do not go to illegal raves and risk your lives.

Assistant Chief Constable Nick Bailey said:

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“Last weekend (Saturday 13 June 2020) we saw two large raves take place in Carrington and Oldham, with around 6000 people in attendance. Clearly, this was in breach of the current Coronavirus regulations and puts everyone at risk, but also had tragic consequences for some attendees after one young woman was raped, three men stabbed and a teenager sadly lost his life after a suspected drug overdose.

“A top priority for us will always be the safety of our communities and we will continue to strike the balance of proportionality and wider public safety with our overall response to incidents such as these ones. Under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, we can intervene in incidents and prosecute anyone who has taken part in any illegal activity – whether that be drug supply or public disorder and any violence. We are sending a strong warning to those thinking about attending such events - you could face enforcement action and receive a criminal record.  

“In normal times, the people of Greater Manchester will know that we boast a fantastic night-time economy and we have been home to many festivals, music events and concerts. Year after year we proudly welcome people to Greater Manchester to enjoy the fantastic events we have to offer. However, it’s imperative to stress just how much planning and meticulous organisation goes into these events in order to keep you safe. From rigorous security measures as attendees arrive, to fully staffed medical tents where treatment can be administered quickly and effectively, as well as stringent crowd management measures. There is absolutely no doubt that this kind of planning and preparation saves lives.

“There is also the key issue of accessibility for emergency service workers. If something goes wrong, there are clear plans and procedures in place to ensure that whoever is in trouble will be able to receive the assistance they need – whether this be from paramedics, police officers or security guards. In an unlicensed event like the ones we saw last weekend, on some occasions, emergency services workers struggled to get to people who were in need because of the sheer number of people who were in attendance and the non-existent planning around crowd management and safety.”

Having reviewed body worn footage from last weekend’s event, it was clear that the emergency services had difficulty reaching those in need because crowd management and safety measures were not in place.  Fortunately, officers were able to administer life-saving treatment to a stabbing victim at the scene, but it is a stark reminder of how important planning is to ensure the safety of all.

 

ACC Bailey continued,

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“Clearly over the weekend a number of people needed our help and it’s disappointing to see that some of our officers were met with anger and violence, even whilst administering life-saving first aid. This is simply not acceptable, police officers work tirelessly to protect our communities and keep people safe. They are committed to this and don’t deserve to be treated in this way.

“I would also like to send a really clear message to organisers of illegal raves and events. I would implore you to seriously consider the risks and understand that as organisers, it is your responsibility to keep people safe.  There are often young teenagers in attendance, who are putting their lives in your hands. We also have to stress that we will do our very utmost to work with licensing authorities to ensure that anyone who is found organising these kind of events, or supplying equipment such as generators, is dealt with robustly and faces the fullest consequences. You too could also face prosecution. So please, I would ask people to think beforehand and ask yourself if it’s worth it.”

 

Sacha Lord, Night-time economy advisor for Greater Manchester, added:

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“I can assure you, that no one in Greater Manchester is looking forward to organising a party more than me. When I woke up to see the news last weekend, I was so saddened to see how so many people had acted so irresponsibly. Organising an event for thousands of people takes many months of working alongside emergency services and local authorities. What concerns me even more is not only is this just the start of the summer, but the images of parents dropping off their kids at these illegal events. We are still in lockdown. Last weekend, 6000 people went home to their family, loved ones and friends and could possibly have spread the virus. Sadly, one person didn’t. They attended these events under the most dangerous conditions possible. I strongly urge everyone to look back at last weekend and do not ever let it happen again. There will be a time to party again. It won’t be too far away, but it will have your safety at the forefront."

 

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said:

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“What happened last weekend was unacceptable, putting a huge strain on police resources and putting people’s lives at risk. I want to minimise the chances of this happening again, which is why I have asked GMP to develop a clear multi-agency action plan with the aim of preventing or disrupting any future raves. Lessons have been learned from these incidents, and I’m pleased GMP will be taking a more robust approach to events like this in the future.

“We can’t say for certain that we can prevent all such events from taking place again. But we can say to Greater Manchester residents that there is no question of us turning a blind eye or adopting a permissive approach. These events are illegal at any time, but particularly during a pandemic, and we will redouble our efforts to close them down and protect lives in Greater Manchester.”

 

Baroness Bev Hughes, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime said:

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“The vast majority of Greater Manchester residents have played their part to help fight coronavirus. But the reckless actions of the organisers of last weekend’s illegal raves and those who attended have cast a shadow over our communities, putting an unnecessary strain on our emergency services, putting our residents at risk, and sadly leading to tragedy for some attendees.

“We saw the real Greater Manchester in the aftermath, when residents came out to help the clean-up and I want to appeal to that strong community spirit today. Please help us to keep our communities safe and report any information to the police so they can take action. And if you are thinking of attending these illegal events, you are putting yourself and loved ones at risk so please think again.”

 

If you have any intelligence that you would like to pass on, please call our dedicated Operational Communications Branch on 101.

We know Salford loves to report loud bangs so we are letting you know that if you hear them coming from Manchester's Arndale this evening then DON'T PANIC.

Officers from Greater Manchester Police alongside partners from NWAS and GMFRS will be taking part in a pre-planned routine training exercise within Manchester City Centre at Manchester Arndale this evening after the centre has closed.

During this time, if you are within the area – you may hear loud noises coming from the centre however please do not be alarmed or concerned.

This activity forms part of GMP’s on-going commitment to ensure officers have substantial training in real-life scenarios.

There is nothing to suggest an immediate threat in Greater Manchester.

This will be the first in a series of similar exercises to take place over the next five weeks.

The Gay Village survey is now open and people are urged to be part of the conversation. 

The survey can be found here: https://wh1.snapsurveys.com/s.asp?k=158108723942

The survey will be live to Friday 6th March and will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. All data will be treated anonymously and in accordance with GDPR rules. We appreciate you taking the time to leave your views which will form a valuable contribution to the project.

Manchester City Council has commissioned a review of Manchester’s Gay Village to fully understand what the area means to local people, visitors and businesses, and to inform how the Gay Village can be protected and enhanced in the future.

As a celebrated and unique part of the city centre, this is a listening exercise to provide an updated understanding of the importance of the Gay Village as a safe space for the city’s LGBTQ+ community.

Hatch, an independent Manchester-based socio-economic consultancy, has been commissioned to consult and engage with local people, businesses and organisations in the coming months.

Listening and gathering views to understand what is important for the local community, how the local environment could be improved, and what opportunities there might be to enhance the area.

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “The historical importance of the Gay Village for the city’s LGBTQ+ community cannot be underestimated. The area is a beacon for tolerance across the UK, and its reputation internationally renowned. There is no question that the heritage of the neighbourhood - and its future - must be protected. 

“We promised that we would undertake this review and it’s important that we do given the significance of the Gay Village to a huge amount of people. To be able to act as guardians, we need to speak to the people at the heart of the community, and listen to their views. 

“There will be lots of ways for Manchester people to get involved and I would urge as many people as possible to do so. There is so much to celebrate about the Gay Village and we need you to tell us what it means to you.”

Police are appealing for information after an incapacitant spray (Pepper Spray or Similar) was dispersed in a restaurant in Manchester City Centre.

At around 7.55pm on Friday 7 January 2020, officers were called to Pizza Hut on Fountain Street near Piccadilly Gardens.

Emergency services attended and enquiries have established that a man entered a short time before dispersing the spray.

20 customers and staff were assessed by paramedics at the scene. None required hospital treatment but some were distressed.

The offender is described as being black, between the ages of 25 and 35, 6ft tall and of an athletic build. At the time of the incident, he was wearing a light coloured hoodie with a zip, grey trousers and white trainers. He was also carrying a dark-coloured shoulder bag.

An investigation is underway.

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 4166 quoting 2749 07/02/20.

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

An innovative scheme which aims to support vulnerable people and reduce begging is being trialled in Manchester city centre.

Led by Greater Manchester Police and Manchester City Council, the Street Engagement Hub aims to tackle the underlying issues which have resulted in people begging.

Police and council officers refer people known to be begging to the Hub. Here, they have access to a wide range of help including first aid, support for mental health, help with applying for the right kind of benefits and referral to the Greater Manchester A Bed Every Night Scheme which provides safe accommodation for those who are sleeping rough.

While still at an early stage, the results since the programme started in November have been encouraging. In the first six weeks, 64 people attended weekly sessions at the Hub.

In many cases people who beg often do so because they feel they have no other option. This project is helping break down barriers which have been identified in those who need help, enabling people to access support to live safer and healthier lives. 

Feedback from people accessing the Hub has been positive: 

Sarah said: “The first time I attended I received help with accommodation, benefits advice and mental health. Thanks to all the staff.”

John said: “I feel that it’s good as it gives people a chance rather than being arrested.” 

And Joe simply said: “It saved my life.”

The partners working alongside each other on the scheme - including St John Ambulance, Change Grow Live (CGL), the NHS and Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) - are committed to providing a service which is driven by the needs of the people who attend. 

Funding has been secured to run the Hub until the end of March, but if it continues to be successful it is hoped to extend its operation beyond then. 

Chief Inspector Zac Fraser from GMP’s City Centre District, who leads the team responsible for the initial innovation which developed the Street Engagement Hub, said:

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“We are proud to support this pilot, and I am especially proud of the small number of Officers and partners from Manchester City Council who without their personal hard work and dedication in pulling together partners, the Hub would never have got off the ground. Helping create a service which can address so many different needs under one roof is proving highly effective.

“The involvement from so many partners has been invaluable in terms of the support we are able to offer. We have been able to help and support with underlying issues which are often the main barriers to support, including addiction, mental health, finances and accommodation.

“It’s great to see so many partner agencies working collaboratively to offer such a wide variety of services to some of the most vulnerable members of society. 

“We want to make the city centre as safe as possible, helping reduce associated anti-social behaviours, help safeguard some of the most vulnerable people and reduce the risk of exploitation. 

“I’m really excited about the project so far and it’s great that we’ve secured some short term funding to take this forward into 2020, and hopefully we will be successful in securing additional resources to ensure this support is sustained going forward for the benefit of the communities we aim to serve.”

 

Councillor Nigel Murphy, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, said:

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“The initial findings from the Street Engagement Hub pilot have been very positive. We’re pleased that so many organisations are keen to support this work. 

“People who beg are often very vulnerable and we are striving to improve the ways we can get them the help they need. This project is not going to be an overnight success and there is a lot more that needs to be done to help and protect the most vulnerable people. But this is a step in the right direction, working with people to try to improve their lives. If we can help them move away from begging by providing them with alternative options and support it’s better for everyone.” 

 

Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Bev Hughes, added:

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“The Street Engagement Hub is an innovative approach to addressing begging in Manchester city centre and the early indications are that it is having a positive impact. I want to thank all the staff and volunteers, and every partner organisation, for coming together to deliver such an important scheme which, although it has only been running a short time, has already made a tangible difference. To hear the positive experiences that so many of the most vulnerable in our society have had at the Street Engagement Hub is incredibly satisfying.

“In Greater Manchester we don’t just walk on by – we take care of each other. We’ve made great strides in tackling rough sleeping in our city-region in recent years and now this scheme is helping people who have been begging on our streets, many of whom feel they have nowhere else to turn to. It’s Greater Manchester doing things differently, which is what we do best.”

 

Eleanor Watts, Riverside’s area manager for Greater Manchester, said:

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“This is the first time in my 15 years working in Greater Manchester that so many agencies have come together to provide services under one roof at same time in order to support people out of begging.

“By working together The Hub can help a person who has been begging to be seen and assessed for support by multiple agencies in a matter of a couple of hours rather than having to wait a few weeks for appointments to become available.

“Bringing all these services together allows us to support people with their physical health, mental health, substance misuse, financial support, and support to maintain their home and tenancy more quickly and health and financial problems spiral further out of control.”

 

GMP has now launched a forever amnesty following the success of Operation Sceptre’s week-long knife amnesty, which ran in September 2019, and saw over 600 knives deposited in amnesty bins across Greater Manchester.

The project, run by Greater Manchester Police and the British Ironwork Centre, is part of the centre's Save a Life, Surrender your Knife campaign which saw the creation of the nationally-renowned Knife Angel sculpture.

The forever amnesty will see ten knife amnesty bins permanently placed in police stations throughout the region.

These will allow people to dispose of knives in a completely safe and anonymous way.

The bin for Salford will be located at Swinton police station.

Greater Manchester Police’s Superintendent Chris Downey said:

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“We were delighted, and a little surprised with the results of September’s week-long amnesty, as we didn’t expect so many knives to be deposited.

“When the Operation Sceptre team came together with key partners to review the week-long campaign, we discussed the possibility of installing the bins on a permanent basis in an effort to reduce knife crime across Greater Manchester. Due to the overwhelming success of September’s amnesty it was something that we unanimously agreed on.

"I want to take this opportunity to reiterate that this kind of violence has no place on our streets, and it will not be tolerated. Deploying permanent amnesty bins is just one of the many steps we are taking in our fight against knife crime. A large part of our work is out in our communities with young people, educating them on the impact knives can have not just on individuals, but on families and communities.

"Our aim is to understand why people are carrying knives and work to dispel the myth that knives are essential to keeping you safe.

“Carrying a knife often has life-changing consequences, such as being expelled from school, being sent to prison and sadly, loss of life. Fear is often one of the main reasons for people carrying knives, as they believe that a knife will protect them, but actually, even if someone doesn’t plan on using the weapon, their chances of becoming a victim of knife crime increases just by carrying it.

“I would strongly encourage people from all over Greater Manchester to see the forever amnesty as the perfect opportunity to dispose of any illegal and harmful knives, as no good can come from carrying one – so please get rid of them. Every knife surrendered is one less knife out on the street, where they can do serious damage.

“We are planning to use all collected blades to create a sculpture, which will represent the ‘Save A Life, Surrender Your Knife’ campaign’s legacy, highlight the city’s efforts to turn the tide on knife crime.”

 

Police in Little Hulton recently took part in Operation Scholar which saw them search local parks for knives and other weapons.

Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester Bev Hughes said:

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“The success of past amnesties shows that the public are just as determined as we are to tackle serious violent crime and take weapons off the streets of Greater Manchester.

“The forever amnesty is one of a number of things we are doing to reduce violent crime across the city-region. Through the Violence Reduction Unit, the police, local authorities, youth services, health, education and schools, as well as other criminal justice partners, are working together to embed a community-led approach to prevention and enforcement.”

 

The Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit was set up in October 2019 with funding from the Home Office. It brings together Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, National Probation Service, health and education professionals, youth justice and local authorities to address the underlying causes of violent crime and work together with communities to prevent it.

If you have concerns about someone you know or care about who is carrying or hiding a knife, or if you are aware that knives are being concealed in your community, call the Police on 101 or talk to us via LiveChat at www.gmp.police.uk

As we reported last week, police are asking members of the public to be cautious when buying items online after a number of recent armed robberies.

This warning comes after a number people have been targeted through false car advertisements on online auction sites such as eBay.

Between Tuesday 19 November 2019 and Wednesday 22 January 2020, police received 12 reports of armed robberies across Manchester and Oldham relating to online auction sites.

On most occasions, offenders falsely advertised a car on an online auction site and organised to meet the buyers at a given location for the car sale. On arrival, the potential buyers were threatened with weapons - including a gun, a hammer and machetes - and offenders fled with a large quantity of the victim’s cash.

No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.

A number of victims have been targeted from across the UK, and GMP is keen to issue advice on how to stay safe: 

·  Look into the seller or buyer – whether a private individual or online store. Look at their profile, their rating and transaction history. New sellers and buyers may not have a very comprehensive history, so be a little more cautious.

·  When going to collect the car from a private seller take someone to accompany you. If you are going alone, make sure you tell a friend or family member about your meeting e.g. location, time and your expected time of return.

·  If possible, try to arrange to collect the car in a public, neutral location to inspect and test drive the vehicle.

·  Try to only arrange to meet a private seller during daylight hours.

·  Consider paying for the car using electronic transfer to avoid carrying large amounts of cash, but only when you have seen and inspected the vehicle.

Detective Sergeant Kat McKeown, of GMP’s City of Manchester division said:

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“I want to reassure the public that we are taking these armed robberies very seriously and are working with online auction sites and other police forces to conduct a thorough investigation to try and find those responsible.

“These offenders are very deceptive, so I would urge the public to please take note of the advice we have issued about staying safe when buying items online. Please remain alert and cautious, and report anything suspicious to police immediately.

“We are working with the victims that have come forward and I would urge anyone with any information relating to these robberies to get in touch with our investigation team on the numbers below.”

 

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 4409, quoting incident number 1926 of 21/01/2020. Reports can be made anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The troubled German based Arriva held the franchise which was set to continue to run until 2025 but this morning they have had it stripped away from them by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.

With effect from the 1st of March 2020, Northern will revert to government control following years of disruption, cancellations and frustrations to passengers using the service.

Shapps said:

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“This is a new beginning but it is only a beginning. Northern’s network is huge and complex and some of the things that are wrong are not going to be quick or easy to put right.”

 

Northern have issued the statement below on their social media accounts:

Services will not immediately be affected or be seen to improve but for the foreseeable future the franchise will be operated by an arms-length company staffed by managers with experience of the rail network - who will report directly to the government. And a cross-industry task force will work to address the complex issues that have befell Northern.

Improvements will not happen overnight but the failures which have plagued travellers will be remedied as soon as possible according to sources.

One of the main contributors to Northern's problems is its ancient rolling stock and infrastructure which cripples its ability to cope at peak times. The government will have to work hard and invest if it wants to see improvements.

Shapps admitted that the privatised model was not working, saying:

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“We know change is needed and change is coming.”

 

A man involved in child sexual exploitation in Rochdale in the early 2000s has been jailed, following a successful GMP-led operation to extradite him from Pakistan. 

Choudhry Ikhalaq Hussain (12/09/1977) formally of Mayfield Terrace, Rochdale was flown to the UK yesterday (Tuesday 28 January 2020) after being detained in the province of Punjab on Saturday 26 January 2019.

Hussain had left the country part way through his trial in 2015, after submitting an application to attend what transpired to be the fictitious funeral of a family member. 

Hussain was one of several men who were prosecuted under the umbrella of Operation Doublet - a large-scale police investigation launched in response to reports of historic child sexual exploitation, predominately in the Rochdale area of Greater Manchester, between 2003 and 2013. Since it commenced in 2012, Operation Doublet has resulted in a total of 210 years’ worth of prison sentences. 

In April 2016 at Minshull Street Crown Court, Hussain was sentenced in his absence to 19 years imprisonment after being found guilty of three counts of sexual activity with a child, two counts of rape and one count of conspiracy to rape. 

Today (Wednesday 29 January 2020) at Minshull Street Crown Court, Hussain pleaded guilty to failing to surrender to court. He was subsequently sentenced to eight months imprisonment to run consecutively to the previous sentence. 

When Hussain was arrested in Pakistan in 2019, he was remanded in prison for a year before being extradited to the UK. The judge stated today that this would not count towards his prison sentence of 19 years and eight months. 

In his closing remarks, the judge went on to say that Hussain was a dangerous and devious sexual predator prepared to abuse children for his own grossly perverted sexual desires. He also noted that the sexual abuse inflicted on the victim was the most grave and serious.  

Speaking after today’s court appearance, Detective Superintendent Jamie Daniels, Senior Investigating Officer for Operation Doublet, said:

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“I would like to first start by publicly commending Hussain’s victim for her bravery and courage throughout this process, as she was subjected to the most horrific abuse. Her strength is further demonstrated by the fact she gave evidence at the trial back in 2015 and without her, we may not have been able to prosecute Hussain. She has been at the very heart of everything we have done; and for her sake alone, we have always remained determined to catching Hussain - regardless of how much time passed or distance he travelled. I do hope today’s result provides her with a measure of comfort as she continues to rebuild her life.

“Hussain is a sexual predator who mistakenly thought he could flee to another country and carry on with his life, while his victim was left to deal with the consequences of his vile actions and robbed of justice. His extradition and subsequent appearance in court for imprisonment demonstrates that when it comes to pursuing perpetrators of child sexual exploitation we will follow them across the globe if necessary.  

“This is an overwhelmingly positive result for GMP as well as agencies – including the National Crime Agency, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the British High Commission in Pakistan and the Pakistani authorities – who’ve worked in partnership with us for a number of years to secure Hussain’s extradition. 

“It would be remiss of me not to take this opportunity to also thank the original NHS Crisis Intervention team, Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council and St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Manchester. They have supported us from the very beginning and were integral to securing Hussain’s conviction and sentence in 2016.  

“Finally, I would like to reiterate that today’s result demonstrates our absolute commitment to bringing criminals to justice - we will always do everything in our power to ensure dangerous predators like Hussain face up to their abhorrent crimes. I hope this news serves as a stark warning to abusers that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated. I also hope it sends a clear message to those who think that they can flee to the other side of the world to avoid serving a prison sentence – we won’t stop until you are put behind bars.”

 

Back in 2001 good old Gordon Brown dangled the magical incentive carrot before the faces of the people.

Diesel is cheaper to run, gets you better millage and what's more it is also better for the polar bears, is what we were being told at the time. Gordon was struggling to come up with a plant to cut emissions that were agreed upon several years earlier at Kyoto in Japan.

A protocol agreed upon by the UK in 1997 which would require all signatory counties to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, based on the premise that (a) global warming exists and (b) human-made CO2 emissions have caused it. All of which was to come into force in 2005.

Pre 2001 there were around 3.45 million diesel vehicles plodding up and down the roads of Britain, a figure that since then has come to more than double to over a staggering 8.1 million by latest figures.

Scroll forward 16 years and now It is comes as quite a shock to motorists to hear Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin warning those people that followed government advice, that we face a hike in taxes designed to punish us for doing what we were told was the right thing to do.

It seems that diesel is not the clean wonder fuel we were told it was, yes it has lower carbon (CO2) emissions, but mile for mile diesel cars pump out far more micro particles as well as dangerous levels of (NOx) Nitrogen Oxides which not only contribute to higher atmospheric temperatures but also cause over 29,000 premature deaths in Britain that are attributed to air pollution.

Effectively many people were sold cars dirty polluting cars in good faith based upon what at best can be called misinformation.

Clean Air Charges

Back in 2016 the then candidate for Metro Mayor Andy Burnham ruled out a congestion charge, stating that it would be unfair to levy a tax on people with no public transport alternative.

Not long after becoming elected Mayor plans were being drawn up for a 'Clean Air' charge which at the time we were told would not affect car drivers and instead focus on those nasty polluting diesel buses, taxis and lorries churning out noxious gases into the atmosphere. 

Salford along with the rest of Greater Manchester gave a resounding NO back in 2008 when asked in a referendum if they wanted to see a congestion charge brought in across the region but this was different - we were told this was not a congestion charge but instead a 'clean air charge'.

We were also expressly told that private car drivers would not be affected and that there were no plans to charge motorists but it would appear that stance is now being rolled back as Manchester City Council have agreed to look at charging drivers of older vehicles to access the city centre in a similar way as they are within London's clean air zone.

This would mean that drivers of older vehicles would be excluded from entering the area within the Manchester/Salford inner ring road.

The proposal was unanimously supported by Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors after being put forward by councillor Marcus Johns alongside his colleague Jon-Connor Lyons.

There was no mention as to how this would be achieved but Mayor Burnham has already submitted plans to government in order to levy charges on older polluting heavy goods vehicles, taxis and buses across areas of Greater Manchester. If funding is granted then the current preferred option is the introduction of a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) across the whole of Greater Manchester from 2021, to discourage the most polluting buses, HGVs, taxis, private hire vehicles and LGVs from travelling within the Greater Manchester boundary

These plans make no mention of private vehicles nor do they contain reference to any specific city centre zone.

Some have accused Manchester Council of attempting to slip in a congestion charge in the guise of a clean air tax by the back-door. The council in York has recently been considering a plan to block ALL cars from entering its City Centre and there are genuine concerns that in time that will also be adopted in Manchester.

Regardless, air quality across the region is dangerously low and road transport is responsible for 80% of the roadside nitrogen dioxide with the greatest contribution coming from diesel vehicles, something clearly has to be done to combat the rises in particulates in the air we breathe. 

Public Health England has estimated that poor air quality is a contributor to an equivalent on 1,200 deaths a year in Greater Manchester alone and plays a part in breathing illnesses, heart disease, stroke and even some cancers.

Manchester Council will now take these latest proposals under consideration before deciding the outcome later this year.

For information on GM's current clean air plan, look HERE

The Greater Manchester Metro Mayor along with the region's cycling and walking commissioner have called upon the government to back plans for a 1,800 mile stretch of walking and cycling lanes throughout the Greater Manchester Region which they say would help to reduce congestion as well as air pollution related deaths.

The pair also claim that a National Bee Network Initiative would not only improve the peoples health but save the NHS upwards of £6.37bn over the next 10 years. The newly opened up routes would act as a catalyst to get people out of cars and on to foot and bikes, which would provide a positive benefit to the nations health.

In taking more people off the roads it would also help to ease the increasing congestion which is now crippling much of the countries inner city areas.

A new report entitled 'Change a Region to Change a Nation' predicts an increase of 350% in cycling alone and huge health benefits to the people of the region if the scheme is funded, it would also act as a national blueprint to reduce air pollution and increase health and life expectancy.

The current set of Bee Lines which stretch across parts of Salford and Greater Manchester have already considered to be a resounding success and are used on a regular basis.

Plans for Chapel Street in Salford would provide protected 2 metre-wide cycle tracks in each direction and priority for pedestrians and cyclists at side roads.

With the project expected to cost around £4.3 million with £500,000 already committed by Salford City Council and £3.8 million to come from the Mayor’s Challenge Fund.

The Mayor now wants to grow the network which he says would revolutionise travel across the whole city region, a further 80 schemes having been earmarked for development.

Burnham said that the plans could be used as a national blueprint for promoting real change as he called for government backing which he said was paramount to making it a reality.

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“Our city region’s 10 districts have been working on these plans since 2017 and, crucially, residents have helped to develop them, based on what they want their neighbourhoods to look like.

“Now we have a world-class plan and we know how to deliver it, but we cannot do it alone. We need the government to back us with sustained funding over the next 10 years to enable us to complete the Bee Network. If they do so, they will be helping create a model that can be replicated across the rest of the country.”

 

Olympic Gold Champion Chris Boardman said:

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“All 10 Greater Manchester councils have taken on this challenge and they’ve already started transforming ambition into action. But without guaranteed government investment, we are hamstrung.

“To revolutionise travel across a whole city region, we’re asking for the same financial backing over a 10-year period as it’s costing for a single junction improvement scheme in Bedford.

"I know which will return the best investment – not only for our city-region but the nation as a whole.”

 

Adding:

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"Once complete, it will enable more than 900,000 trips to be made every day without cars. The benefits of this switch, outlined in this document, will be enormous.

"We cannot afford to wait any longer to make the change in how we travel. Greater Manchester is ready to change itself and, in doing so, create an example for a nation."

 

The report will be handing to Westminster for consideration next week.

If you have a TfGM issued 'Pension Age' concessionary travel pass or a Woman's Concessionary Travel Pass you should be aware that from the 1st of Feb things are about to change.

Bus travel will remain free off-peak but to continue to benefit from unlimited off-peak travel on trains and trams across the Greater Manchester region you will need to pay an annual fee of £10 per year.

Those who hold a concessionary pass due to disability will not be affected by the changes as they don't apply.

You can add Tram & Train to your pass online by clicking HERE or you can take your pass into a TfGM travel shop and they can add it for you.

Additionally you can go into any store that offers the PayPoint service and ask them to add train and tram, hand the retailer your pass along with the £10 fee and they will add it for you and hand your pass back.

You can also add to your pass via the https://getmethere.com website.

If you pay early, you will be covered for one year from February 1 2020.

After February 1, you’ll be covered for a full year from the date you pay.

There has been wide-spread criticism of the new rules with some saying that the changes will fuel social isolation often felt by older people.

TfGM say that the charge is simply to cover the cost of administration of the scheme.

City Mayor Paul Dennett said at the time he wasn’t keen on the idea, but the need both for parity with young people and also to raise cash for bus reform meant he would reluctantly back it.

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“I have to say, I’m not a fan of what I refer to as stealth taxes, or administrative charges.

“They’re a bureaucratic nightmare, they’re very costly and also not necessarily progressive, but I accept the points being made around parity.”

 

Photo: SalfordOnline Stock

On Thursday 16 January 2020, a new intake of Greater Manchester Police (GMP) Volunteer Police Cadets reached the end of their basic training period and attended a passing out ceremony at Co-op Academy in Higher Blackley.

The GMP Volunteer Police Cadet scheme gives young people aged 13–17 the chance to gain key life skills while making a difference in their local communities.

Cadets from Tameside, Bury and Blackley recited the cadet oath and were presented with a certificate on stage by the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, Mark Adlestone.

As each cadet entered the stage, their reasons for joining the scheme were shown on screen to the audience. These included; wanting to gain skills that would help them pursue a career in policing in the future, to increase their confidence, make new friends and to give back to their community.

The cadets then showed their newly developed marching skills in a parade before the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester and other distinguished guests, family and friends.

Chief Superintendent Paul Savill, who opened the ceremony, said:

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“The GMP Volunteer Police Cadet scheme is a great opportunity for young people in Greater Manchester to develop new, life-long skills whilst giving back to the community they live in.

“I would like to thank the cadets for taking part in the scheme and hope it is not only a chance for them to learn a great deal, but for them and GMP as a whole, to engage with the community.”