Festival-goers invited to be part of landmark research project to improve health outcomes for South Asian people

People attending a major Manchester festival this weekend will have the opportunity to take part in a huge research project to help improve health outcomes for South Asian people.

The Genes and Health Study is trying to understand why people of Bangladeshi and Pakistani heritage have some of the highest rates of heart disease, diabetes and poor health in the UK.

Over 50,000 people in London and Bradford have already taken part and the study recently opened in Greater Manchester.

People going to the Manchester Mega Mela, at Platt Fields Park, Fallowfield, on the weekend of 23 and 24 July will be able to learn more about the project and take part by providing a small saliva sample.

The local team from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network Greater Manchester will be at the festival, the largest celebration of South Asian culture in the north of England, on both days to answer questions and give people the option to take part. 

Jo Henry, Team Lead Research Nurse at NIHR Clinical Research Network Greater Manchester, will be at the Mega Mela with her team.

She said: 

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“We know that, unfortunately, South Asian people have some of the highest rates of heart disease and diabetes in Greater Manchester and across the UK, and had the worst COVID-19 outcomes.

"Genes and Health is a study that is making real progress in reducing these health inequalities and providing a very accessible way for people to be part of research that can benefit so many people.

"We would love to speak to anyone attending the Mega Mela to answer any questions they may have about this important research. Taking part is really straightforward and takes less than 10 minutes, so it won’t stop anyone from enjoying all the festivities!”

The NIHR team has been visiting lots of local community locations to provide opportunities to get involved in the Genes and Health Study.  Sajid Aziz, 38, of Old Trafford, participated when the team visited a mosque in Old Trafford.

He said:

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“They did a little presentation to show what's involved or what's going to happen and there is a lot of privacy involved.

“It’s just a saliva sample and [the research team] send that off, fill a couple of details in. And hopefully they can build up a lot of portfolios to try and help people in the future. Very, very simple process. I would highly recommend it. It will benefit everyone.”

 

People from South Asian communities have historically been underrepresented in the large genetic data sets used by scientists, doctors, and policy makers to guide decisions about healthcare. The Genes and Health Study is addressing this by recruiting volunteers aged 16 and over from British Pakistani and British Bangladeshi heritage.

The project, led by Queen Mary University of London in partnership with King’s College London, started in East London in 2015 and opened in Greater Manchester earlier this year.

Data from the Genes and Health has already been used to uncover important scientific discoveries such as: why COVID-19 affects some people more severely than others; a new treatment for a rare childhood kidney disease; and a new understanding of how nutrition links to childhood growth.

Further information is available on the NIHR Clinical Research Network Greater Manchester website.

Two men have been found guilty of killing and dismembering their friend and were today (Friday 15 July 2022) sentenced at Manchester Crown Court to 28 years.

Two men have been found guilty of killing and dismembering their friend and were today (Friday 15 July 2022) sentenced at Manchester Crown Court to 28 years.

Ashley Walsh, 34, from Failsworth in Oldham had not been seen for some days by his family and friends whose concerns grew. They later reported him Missing to Police who launched an investigation. His body was found dead in the wooded area of Sand Hills Park in Collyhurst on 17 January 2022.

Gerard McGlacken (born 6 December 1976) and Aaron Evitt (born 5 June 1988) were found guilty on 13 July 2022 of murder and were sentenced today (15 July). They had both pleaded guilty to Preventing a Lawful Burial at an earlier hearing.

The court heard how Ashley was captured on CCTV on 7 January 2022 at around 7.30pm, walking his dog with McGlacken and Evitt from Kintore Walk towards Rochdale Road. It was the last time he was seen alive.

The court then heard how later that night, Ashley Walsh and Evitt had been involved in an argument.

Evitt later admitted to hitting Ashley over the head with a hammer following this argument, although a postmortem examination found that he had died from multiple injuries, including severe trauma to his skull and multiple stab wounds to his chest. Evitt discovered McGlacken had dismembered Ashley's body and his remains were later placed into 4 suitcases.

Ashley was reported missing shortly after his disappearance and following a police investigation, both Evitt and McGlacken were remanded in custody on 18 January 2022.

Officers recovered human remains in Sand Hills Park, which were later formally identified as those of Ashley's. Black bin bags were also found at McGlacken's address at 7 Kintore Walk and a forensic examination confirmed they contained blood matching the DNA profile of Ashley Walsh.

Following a police search around the Kintore Walk area, officers also recovered items from a residential bin which included a jacket that Evitt is seen wearing in CCTV footage outside the Bobby Convenience Store on Rochdale Road and also on CCTV from Boggart Hole Clough county park - where McGlacken and Evitt were seen abandoning Ashley's dog.

Detective Inspector Daniel Lee of GMP's Major Incident Team said:

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"These convictions are the result of a thorough investigation by our Major Incident Team who were committed to securing justice for Ashley's family and I'm pleased that those responsible were convicted.

It was a heinous act of violence and not only did Aaron Evitt and Gerard McGlacken take Ashley's life, but they also attempted to conceal what they had done – causing extreme distress and upset to Ashley's family and friends.

Our thoughts are with them at this time, and we can only hope that today's verdict brings some comfort."

 

Ashley's family said they were left devastated by the loss and have paid tribute to him.

They said

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"Ashley, our blond haired curly haired smiling faced little boy. Growing up in a large family, he touched the hearts of everyone he met. By nature, he was helpful, sentimental, mischievous and the most easy-going person. A talented motocross rider, his dad always his biggest supporter. We have been left devastated that Ashley was to lose his life in such horrific circumstances, he was a lover not a fighter. Ashley – you mean the world to us, if love alone could have saved you, you would have lived forever."

Thomas Campbell, 38, was found dead at an address on Riverside in Mossley at around 10.30am on Sunday 3 July 2022.

Despite the best efforts of emergency services, he was pronounced dead at the scene and a murder investigation was launched.

Coleen Campbell (27/03/84), of Bamford Street ,Clayton, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder. She was remanded in custody to appear at Manchester Crown Court today (15 July 2022).

The investigation continues and anyone with information is urged to do the right thing and report it. This can be done anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or as always, information can be passed to us by using our LiveChat service online, or 101.

Information, images, video or dashcam footage can also be easily submitted to https://mipp.police.uk/operation/06GMP22G12-PO1.

Three police officers have tonight (Thursday 14 July 2022) received bravery awards for successfully arresting a man carrying a firearm in the Harpurhey area of North Manchester in March 2021.

PC Jack Ginger, PC Jessica Hamblett and PC Richard Hayes were on patrol when they heard a loud bang coming from just metres away, which they believed to be a firearm discharging.

The suspect was spotted fleeing the scene, carrying a black bin liner. The officers pursued him and, after a failed attempt to escape in a vehicle which had driven on to the pavement to avoid the officers, they successfully arrested him at the scene.

A search of the area resulted in the discovery of a black bin bag, containing a converted firearm and an empty cartridge.

The offender was subsequently sentenced to five years imprisonment.

GMP Chief Constable Stephen Watson, said:

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“Our three officers showed amazing courage and tenacity in the way they responded to an incident which was violent, dangerous and unfolded in a matter of seconds.

“Thanks to their actions a violent man was removed from our streets and prevented from causing further harm.

“My congratulations go out to PC Ginger, PC Hamblett and PC Hayes, who without a doubt represent the finest of police officers. They deserve every bit of recognition they receive, and I am extremely proud that they wear the GMP uniform.”

 

Two men have been arrested as part Operation Octant, a malicious communications investigation.

On Tuesday (12 July 2022), and yesterday (13 July 2022), officers from arrested a 65-year-old man from Surrey and a 37-year-old man from Kent on suspicion of malicious communications.

The arrests, alongside officers from Surrey Police and Kent Police, form part of the on-going investigation into communications sent to MP Angela Rayner who lives in Tameside. They have both been released under investigation pending further enquiries.

These arrests relates to an email sent on 2 May 2022 with eight arrests in total made as part of the investigation that have so far led to three convictions.

Detective Sergeant Christopher Dean, of Tameside district CID, said:

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"GMP won't tolerate abuse and that includes online abuse in its many forms – text, email or social media – and we will always investigate thoroughly to bring the perpetrators to justice.

"If anyone has been the victim of abuse – whether physical or online – then they should call police and one of our specially-trained officers will be on hand."

 

Anyone with information about similar incidents should contact police on 0161 856 9262 via 101 or our LiveChat function at www.gmp.police.uk. Alternatively details can be passed via the anonymous charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

If you have been a victim of hate, don't suffer in silence. Visit gmvictims.org.uk to access victim support and information. You can report hate crime online, via www.gmp.police.uk or by calling 101.

The joint mental health service partnership between GMP, the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) and the Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust has won a NHS North West Parliamentary Award and was nominated for a national NHS Parliamentary Award.

The pilot project, which started in Oldham, where a mental health clinician and a police officer attend incidents jointly where a person is experiencing a mental health crisis, was launched in January 2022 and now also runs across Bury, Rochdale, Stockport and Tameside. The combined response to incidents means that those experiencing mental distress can gain vital support and quicker access to the services they need. The clinician can assess patients on the scene to ensure every appropriate community-based care option is considered, so that hospital is a last resort and only for those who really need it.

The service saw a 75% reduction in time spent by officers at an incident in Tameside and Oldham in February 2022. Between February and May 2022, 155 people ¬– who would likely have been admitted to a 136 suite or taken to A&E, instead received mental health support and signposting to appropriate services while the pilot was in operation across Oldham, Tameside and Bury between January–May 2022.

The scheme's success saw the team behind the project being awarded the NHS North West Parliamentary Award, which recognises the outstanding contribution of staff and volunteers across the health and care sector, for the 'excellence in mental health' category. The team also attended the national awards last week (Wednesday 6 July 2022), after being nominated under the same category.

Detective Chief Inspector Jane Curran, GMP's Strategic Lead for Mental Health, said:

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"It is great that the service has been recognised by these awards and that the partnership work is having a positive impact across local communities in Greater Manchester.

"I would like to thank our GMP officers and partners involved in setting up, running, and working within the schemes across Greater Manchester. The service not only means that officer hours are saved, with less time spent at these incidents, but most importantly means that members of the public who need mental health support are getting the right care from the right people, in a familiar environment, often supported by family or friends."

Mr Jim McMahon MP for Oldham West and Royton, who nominated the scheme for the award, said:

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"I was delighted to put forward the Mental Health Rapid Response Service for the Excellence in Mental Health Care Award at the NHS Parliamentary Award.
"Ensuring those going through a mental health crisis receive the very best support from the right places is key, and I was really grateful to hear that patients felt valued, listened to and not judged by the team.

"The impact of COVID on people's mental health cannot be overstated, pilot schemes like this one, treating people with the dignity and respect they deserve whilst in crisis are so important."

Anyone who needs mental health advice or support can contact the Mental Health Services across Greater Manchester:

For the Manchester, Salford, Bolton, Wigan and Trafford area, contact the Greater Manchester Police Health (GMMH) 24/7 helpline on 0800 953 0285

For the Tameside, Oldham, Bury, Rochdale and Stockport area, contact the Pennine Care NHS 24/7 helpline on 0800 014 9995

Approximately £100k in cash has been seized overnight as part of an on-going crackdown on money laundering and organised crime in the region.

At around 11.30pm in Oldham last night (11 July 2022), a vehicle was stopped and a 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of money laundering by GMP's Money Laundering Team and Specialist Operations.

The car was searched and around £100k was found and seized in a bag as part of the laundering team's Operation Falcon which only launched around a month ago.

The operation's aim is to identify those involved in money laundering in a bid to disrupt wider organised crime across Greater Manchester. Four arrests have already been made and over £320k so far has been seized.

Around £202k of that has already been successfully and sent to the Home Office, with 50% returned to GMP which will then be used for policing projects, local charities and community initiatives such as Get Away 'N' Get Safe Gangs Prevention Programme, Oldham mountain rescue, Wigan youth zone and 84Youth - a Manchester initiative that helps address youth violence. 

Detective Chief Inspector Joseph Harrop, from GMP's Economic Crime Team, said:

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"Fraud, cyber-crime and money laundering is not only rising in Greater Manchester but all across the UK, which is why we're continuing to grow the department that tackles these issues.

"This seizure is another positive result for the Money Laundering Team who despite being set up less than 12 months ago, have already seized thousands of pounds of suspected ill-gotten gains.

"Cash-based money laundering costs the UK economy billions of pounds and is illicit cash which often serves as the motivator for serious and organised crime. Operation Falcon will continue and we'll be carrying on with targeting those suspected to be involved in money laundering and aim to seize their assets and cash so they can be reinvested into the communities who need it.

"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.

A man who was found dead at an address in Mossley has been identified as 38-year-old Thomas Campbell, as a murder inquiry continues.

Detectives launched an investigation following a report of a concern for the welfare of a man at an address on Riverside at around 10.30am on Sunday (3 July 2022).

Emergency services attended and sadly, Thomas Campbell was pronounced dead at the scene and a murder inquiry was launched.

Specialist officers are supporting the man's family at this time and the investigation continues to progress.

Detective Inspector Mark Davis, from GMP's Major Incident Team, said:

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"This was a horrific attack on a man in his home and our thoughts are very much with the family who are understandably distressed and wanting answers.

"A team of detectives have been working around the clock to find those responsible in what we believe at this time to have been a targeted attack.

"A number of lines of enquiry are still being carried out but I would ask anyone with information to come forward – no matter how small it may seem.

"Information, images, video or dashcam footage can be easily submitted to https://mipp.police.uk/operation/06GMP22G12-PO1 or at our website or via LiveChat at www.gmp.police.uk.

"Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

 

Isyaka Mamman (16/10/36) of Cumberland Drive, Royton, was today (Tuesday 5 July 2022) sentenced at Manchester Crown Court to three years imprisonment after pleading guilty, at an earlier hearing, to the manslaughter by gross negligence of one of his patients.

Prosecutors told the court that the 48-year-old female patient had died shortly after a diagnostic procedure performed by Mamman in the Haematology Unit of a hospital on Monday 3 September 2018.

Following her death, a consultant provided an expert opinion that the procedure had been inappropriately and incompetently performed.

Detective Inspector Rachel Smith, of GMP's Major Incident Team, said:

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"It is tragic that someone who attended the hospital for a diagnostic procedure to plan their treatment and, ultimately, make them feel better ended up dying at the hands of a doctor. Our thoughts remain with the victim's family and loved ones.

"The vast majority of doctors are highly qualified professionals with the skills required to provide excellent care to their patients. Mamman, on the other hand, completely disregarded the basic and in-depth knowledge expected of a medic.

"I would like to use this opportunity to publicly thank our partners in the NHS for their cooperation and assistance whilst our investigation was ongoing. This prosecution, on which we worked closely with the CPS, will ensure that, going forwards, no patients are put at risk of harm by Mamman."

 

Local-born actor and Death in Paradise star, Ralf Little, visited Prestwich Hospital as part of his amazing journey of discovery into his ancestry

Prestwich Hospital has been featured in an episode of BBC One's Who Do You Think You Are?

The show, which aired on Thursday 30th June, followed local-born actor and Death in Paradise star, Ralf Little, in his journey of discovery into his ancestry.

Ralf, who was born and raised around Bury, met with local historian, Dr Vicky Long, at the Prestwich Hospital site, where his grandfather Arthur worked as a 'Mental Nurse' from 1939.

Mental health support and treatment was significantly less understood and developed at that time. Dr Long explained that the Mental Nurse role was a physical, and sometimes dangerous, role.

She said:

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"You start learning on the job. It was about making sure that no fights break out, or any trouble breaks out, on the ward. It was also about watching out for patients who might be suicidal.

"Mental hospitals were quite unique in British healthcare at this point in time in recruiting men as nurses."

 

Ralf was surprised to hear that his grandmother, Olive, had also worked at Prestwich Hospital, as a 'Laundry Maid'; and it is the site where his grandparents first met.

Ralf then visited the Orkney Islands to hear about Arthur's experience in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. Back in Manchester, he learned that another ancestor played a key role in the development of this great industrial city.

In a recent interview with the TV Times, Ralf said:

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"I've always felt a massive connection to Manchester. My immediate family doesn't live there any more but it turns out I've got deep historical connections to the city. I couldn't believe it. My heart was bursting out of my chest with pride. The connection is more profound now."

Maintaining the family connection, Ralf Little's cousin, Anna Campbell, also currently works as a Mental Health Charge Nurse at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH), which now runs the Prestwich Hospital site.

She said:

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"Our grandad worked at Prestwich Hospital, and so did my dad. So that's three generations in mental health nursing.

"Unfortunately, our grandad died just as I was starting university to become a Mental Health Nurse. But he knew I was pursuing a career in healthcare, which he was proud of. And I've been here for 19 years now!

"I absolutely love my job - it's the best thing I've ever done. I work in Later Life mental health services, for people over 65, and it's amazing to meet people and support them to be the best they can be, and get the most out of life.

"My husband also works at the Trust, and it's how I met him too – so I really am following in our grandparents' footsteps!"

 

You can watch the full episode on the BBC iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0018ss9/who-do-you-think-you-are-series-19-5-ralf-little

Detectives have released an image of a male they would like to speak to following a serious assault that has left a man in critical condition.

Just before 6.30pm on Thursday 23 June, officers were called by colleagues from NWAS to a report of a male found unconscious on Tib Street in Manchester city centre.

Following CCTV enquiries, it is believed a 62-year-old man was assaulted on Tib Street, near to the junction with Hilton Street, by another male who made off from the scene towards Hilton Street and turning left onto Oldham Street.

Detective Constable Tamsyn Muller, from Longsight CID, said:

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“This was an attack on a male who remains in hospital in critical condition and his loved ones are no doubt desperate for answers.

“We’ve been following up a number of lines of enquiry since the incident including meticulous CCTV checks and we’re now in a position to appeal for the public to come forward with any information they may have.

“Anyone who may recognise the male pictured or saw anything at the time is asked to call 0161 856 6049 or report it online at www.gmp.police.uk.

“Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

 

The Case for a new Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan: Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Plan to tackle Nitrogen Dioxide Exceedances at the Roadside sets out evidence supporting an investment-led, non-charging Clean Air Plan as the best solution to address the roadside nitrogen dioxide (NO2) problem.

It will be submitted to government to meet a 1 July deadline, once it has been considered by the Greater Manchester Air Quality Administration Committee (GM AQAC).

Earlier this month (1 June), Environment Secretary George Eustice wrote to the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, and Councillor Andrew Western, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) portfolio lead for Clean Air, suggesting Greater Manchester consider a smaller charging Clean Air Zone covering Manchester city centre. 

However, all of Greater Manchester’s political leaders are clear that clean air compliance should be achieved through an investment-led, non-charging approach. Unlike the previous charging Clean Air Zone scheme defined by Government guidance, the investment-led, non-charging GM CAP seeks to attend to the cost-of-living crisis – through avoiding the use of charging – and will actively consider the impacts of the pandemic, particularly on Manchester city centre, where Greater Manchester needs to support ongoing recovery due to changes in economic activity and the impact of wider global economic instability on supply chains.

The approach is set out in the Case for a new Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan, which includes:

Evidence that economic conditions have deteriorated significantly since the previous Clean Air Plan was agreed in summer 2021, with businesses in Greater Manchester now dealing with the cost-of-living crisis, soaring inflation and high vehicle fuel costs.

New analysis which shows how an investment-led approach could see financial support targeted towards upgrading vehicles which frequently travel through locations where modelling shows exceedances of legal NO2 limits might otherwise continue.

A commitment to review local policy changes, such as goods vehicle access controls, alongside regulatory measures such as vehicle licensing standards to accelerate fleet upgrades.

A proposal to work with Government to agree the targeted use of the CAP ANPR cameras to support identification of vehicles that could be upgraded, and also for potential law enforcement activity related to the detection of crime.

The submission also addresses concerns that the price of new and used commercial vehicles is rising, making upgrade less affordable, with anecdotal evidence that the trade-in value of Euro 5 and older Hackney cabs is falling, as more cities bring in tighter licensing standards and/or Clean Air Zones. Some sectors potentially in scope for the Clean Air Plan have still not recovered from the impacts of the pandemic, including the coach sector, with lockdown restrictions meaning that many were forced to stop operating for long periods.

Tackling the health impact of poor air quality remains a priority for Greater Manchester but the previous GM CAP became unworkable due to changes in the global vehicle supply chain linked to the pandemic and the emerging cost-of-living crisis. It would have imposed daily charges for non-compliant vehicles that owners might not have been able to upgrade to cleaner vehicles.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said:

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“The Case for a New Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan outlines how Greater Manchester would meet air quality legal limits in a way which is fair to local people and businesses and does not create the risk of financial hardship.

“Our city is still recovering from the pandemic and we don’t want the Government to level-down our city-centre with their proposals to charge businesses from across Greater Manchester who have to travel through or work within the proposed charging area. 

“Even a small charging Clean Air Zone would result in a considerable financial burden for the many businesses moving products and people through Manchester city centre, providing a significant setback in economic recovery from the impact of the pandemic, and during a cost-of-living crisis.

“The government wants us to charge Greater Manchester businesses at a time when they can least afford it.”

 

The draft Case for a New Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan has been published in a report ahead of the GM AQAC’s meeting on Friday 1 July – – (Public Pack)GM Air Quality Administration Committee - Supplementary Agenda (item 9) Agenda Supplement for Greater Manchester Air Quality Administration Committee, 01/07/2022 12:00 (greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk)

Members of the committee – comprising elected representatives of Greater Manchester’s 10 local authorities – are asked to note that the draft Case will be submitted to government that day.

The next GM AQAC meeting will be asked to confirm the submission as final and notify the Secretary of State for the Environment, subject to any comments from Greater Manchester local authorities which will also consider the report in July, according to their local governance arrangements.

The GM AQAC will be asked to agree that the next stage of the new plan will be developed through intensive engagement with business and the community.

Councillor Andrew Western, GMCA portfolio lead for Clean Air, said:

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“The health impact of dirty air is a primary concern for Greater Manchester, and we remain determined to tackle it in a way which does not create financial hardship for local people.

“We have been listening to the views of business leaders and, given the poor economic outlook for the UK as a whole and Greater Manchester – coupled with increasing evidence of the harm poor air quality causes – this is a delicate balance.

“Based on the evidence, including the impact that a charging Clean Air Zone would have on their ability to make a living, and the risk to jobs and livelihoods, we have had the opportunity to fundamentally change the nature of the Clean Air scheme which we now feel is fit for purpose and fair to the people of our city-region.

“We will now move into a period of more intensive engagement with business and the community to bring together the detailed policy of the new Clean Air Plan.”

 

The 10 Greater Manchester local authorities have been directed by government to bring NO2 air pollution within legal limits as soon as possible and by 2026 at the latest.

In support of the Clean Air Plan, Greater Manchester will also ask for a commitment from government to develop an appropriate regulatory approach that that will legally require all private hire journeys booked in Greater Manchester to be undertaken by a driver and vehicle which are both licensed by one of the 10 Greater Manchester local authorities.

Out-of-area operation currently allows drivers to evade fair, safe and democratically determined local licensing standards. This would give local authorities stronger regulatory tools to improve the emission standards of all private hire fleets operating in Greater Manchester.

It follows months of talks over what the NUJ says would be a "fair and decent" pay award for staff.

Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, said the company - whose titles include the Manchester Evening News and Liverpool Echo - had "failed to recognise the significant contribution of journalists" and increase their final offer of 3% or £750 for employees.

The Reach NUJ Group chapel said it had "overwhelmingly" rejected the pay offer and has told Reach of its intention to ballot for strike action.

The NUJ said that despite a £24m rise in cash balances in 2021 and operating profits of over £146m, chief executive Jim Mullen's £4m pay package was 107 times the pay of the average Reach employee.

Chris Morley, NUJ Reach national co-ordinator, said:

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“Members are incredibly disappointed that we have now reached this point in the road where the company is still failing to acknowledge the struggle they are up against in a any meaningful way.

“They have performed heroics during the pandemic as key workers. Yet most have had the burden of soaring energy costs transferred on to their shoulders via the company’s policy of home working from which Reach will make millions of pounds’ worth of annual savings from closing most of the group’s offices - with virtually no financial help to do so."

 

He added that Reach's board appeared "totally remote from what is happening on the ground", adding:

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"What is the point of a media company that gives as the purpose of its titles ‘to each serve their communities with integrity and passion’ if it fails to look after its own staff?"

A Reach spokesperson said:

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“Our people are vital to Reach’s continued success and we greatly value our relationships with our journalists.

“Our priority must be to protect jobs by ensuring the group has a sustainable future in the face of unprecedented newsprint cost inflation and an uncertain economic backdrop.”

 

Darren Roche (07/03/86) of no fixed abode has been charged with committing an offence with intent to commit a sexual offence, sexual assault, attempted rape, common assault and attempted robbery.

He has been remanded in custody ahead of a hearing at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court today (Tuesday 28 June 2022.)

The charges relate to incidents on Granby Row and Plymouth Grove last week.

At around 10am on Friday 24 June 2022, police received a report that a woman had been tailgated in to her apartment block by a male who subsequently pushed her through her apartment door before sexually assaulting her.

Police issued a CCTV image at the time, of a person they wanted to speak with.

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 6059 quoting 966 24/06/22. Information can also be shared via the independent charity – Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Detectives investigating a sexual offence in Manchester City Centre have today (26 June) made an arrest.

A 36-year-old man remains in police custody for questioning on suspicion of attempted rape.

The arrest relates to an incident in an apartment block off Granby Row on Friday 24 June 2022.

At around 10am on Friday 24 June 2022, police received a report that a woman had been tailgated in to her apartment block by a male who subsequently pushed her through her apartment door before sexually assaulting her.

Police issued a CCTV image at the time, of a person they wanted to speak with.

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 6059 quoting 966 24/06/22. Information can also be shared via the independent charity – Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A new plan which sets out how Greater Manchester businesses and residents can reduce waste and create a more circular economy, is to be rolled out.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s (GMCA) Sustainable Consumption Plan (SCP), approved on 24 June 2022, supports the region’s five-year Environment Plan which was launched at the GM Green Summit in 2019.

The SCP highlights what is needed to move Greater Manchester’s businesses to a model that is more reliant on reusing and recycling materials and how to empower residents to make more sustainable lifestyle choices, helping to achieve the region’s ambitions of becoming carbon neutral by 2038.

It sets out four priorities to do this: Moving to a Circular Economy, Managing Waste Sustainably, Reducing Food Waste and Moving to Sustainable Lifestyles.

To create a circular economy in Greater Manchester, the SCP Plan highlights a need for industries to produce more sustainable products that are in use longer and move us away from a ‘throw away’ society, to instead to be centred around reusing and recycling, using raw materials as a last resort.

To support this, GMCA will work with partners to drive innovation in the city region, exploring ways to help businesses with this change in culture. This will involve creating a `business to business’ platform which will bring organisations in the city region together to find new ways of their industry working so they can create this type of circular economy that eliminates waste. This will start with the textiles industry.  

GMCA’s waste contractor, SUEZ UK, is already leading the way by repairing and upcycling household items which would have been thrown away at the household waste recycling centres. At more than 5000m2, the Renew Hub in Greater Manchester is the UK’s largest, newest and most unique reuse operation. Hundreds of tonnes of pre-loved items which would have otherwise gone to waste are brought to the Hub for repair and resale in three renew shops, with all of the money going back to the local community.

To manage waste sustainability, the SCP Plan will look to learn more about where waste is coming from throughout the city region, both from households and businesses, and use the data to help change business models and behaviours.

Over 70 per cent of food waste is being created by households. With the current cost-of-living crisis facing the country, it is increasingly important that no food is wasted. The SCP Plan sets out proposals to cut down the amount of food wasted, alongside schemes to increase home growing and composting and redistributing unwanted or unused food to those facing financial difficulties. This systematic approach will make Greater Manchester’s food consumption more affordable, sustainable and will help to ensure more people have access to healthy food.

Every person in Greater Manchester has a role to play by living more sustainably. This involves reducing waste and our carbon footprint and choosing products that are environmentally and socially responsible. As well as the development of the GM Green Cities website, communications and marketing campaigns will continue to be delivered so we can work together to educate, raise awareness and encourage everyone to make more sustainable life choices.

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

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“As our society faces more economic pressures, we need to help people and businesses reduce avoidable waste, which can also reduce bills. We need to keep products and materials in use for longer to reduce pressure on the environment. Globally, we currently extract three times the number of natural resources than we did over 30 years ago. This figure is also expected to more than double by 2060 if we don’t make significant changes now.

“We need to see waste as a design flaw, not part of the process. This means changing how products are made and used in our city region. The public sector can support this by changing the way we buy goods and services, but we need other consumers and producers to play their part. This plan gives us a framework to work together on making system-wide changes, beginning with a focus on food, plastics and textiles. 

“A huge part of this is supporting our region’s businesses to operate in a way that causes the least amount of waste without impacting their success; moving away from the make, use, dispose model and instead adopting an approach of replacing the use of scarce resources with fully renewable, recyclable or biodegradable materials. This needs to involve businesses working together to find the best ways of doing this within their industry.

“We all have to be better joined-up in how we tackle problems around waste. In particular, with the huge pressures people currently face just to feed their families, it’s just not acceptable that we also have a problem with food wastage. We need to – and will – explore new ways of ensuring food that would be going to waste is going to those who really need it. This will support our commitment to creating a greener future, but a fairer one too.

“We all have a part to play in making the changes we need so, as a city region, we are more resilient and are living more sustainably and we’ll continue to work hard to create more awareness on how people and businesses can reduce their negative impact on the planet.”

 

The Greater Manchester SCP Plan will now provide the framework for the region’s key activities to become more sustainable over the coming years. It will be delivered by a Challenge Group of public, private, third sector and academic partners, formed under the GM Mission Based Approach, reporting in to GMCA via the Green City Region Partnership.

An annual implementation plan will be developed and agreed with the Challenge Group to set key targets and priorities for each year.

Detectives investigating a sexual assault in Manchester City Centre have released CCTV of a man they want to speak to.

At around 10am on Friday 24 June 2022, we received a report that a woman had been tailgated in to her apartment block by a male who subsequently pushed her through her apartment door before sexually assaulting her.

Officers believe this is linked to a report of suspicious circumstances in the Plymouth Grove area of the city centre on Wednesday 22 June 2022.

Detective Inspector Geoff Machent, of GMP's City of Manchester district, said:

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"I would first and foremost like to reassure members of the public that we have officers in the city centre and anyone who is concerned can approach them.

"We are carrying out extensive enquiries to get to the bottom of this as soon as possible but we are appealing for the public's help to identify the man in the image. We'd also ask people in the area to be vigilant and report any suspicions."

 

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 6059 quoting 966 24/06/22. Information can also be shared via the independent charity – Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Officers investigating series of thefts from the Glade of Light Memorial appeal for help to identify a male they want to speak to.

On three separate occasions in May and June 2022, flowers have been stolen from the Glade of Light - which is dedicated to the memory of those who sadly died following the incident at Manchester Arena in May 2017.

Chief Inspector Wignall, of GMP's City of Manchester district, says:

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"This memorial is really precious to the family and friends of the victims as well as people across Greater Manchester who were impacted by the attack.

"Whilst we are carrying out our own enquiries, I ask anyone who can help identify the male in the CCTV image to contact us or Crimestoppers immediately."

 

Anyone with information should contact 0161 856 1930 or 12383@gmp.police.uk quoting 4 20/06/22 . Information can also be shared anonymously, via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Nine people have been charged with drug offences following warrants by GMP's Serious and Organised Crime Group.

Zulfiqar Khan (24/04/84) of Lorne Street, Bolton; Mohammed Amjad (26/09/94) of Green Lane, Bolton

Haroon Rashid (02/05/03) of Loxham Street, Bolton

Yasir Mahmood (02/05/85) of Andrew Street, Bury

Tahir Ilyas (31/07/87) of Moorfield Chase, Bolton

Nathan Millward (11/07/79) of Seathwaite Road, Bolton

Jacqueline Harmer (23/01/71) of Winifred Road, Bolton

Jason Bennett (24/02/89) of Sutherland Road, Wigan

David Hall (29/06/83) of Stewart Road, Wigan

have all been charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs and remanded in custody ahead of a hearing at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court today (Friday 24 June 2022).

On Wednesday 22 June 2022, officers executed warrants at 12 properties in Bolton, Bury and Wigan as part of Operation Byron – one of the force's dedicated investigations into the sale of controlled drugs in Greater Manchester.

The arrests have, so far, resulted in six individuals being charged in connection with various related offences.

Officers also recovered six stolen vehicles and a number of stolen items. 

Detective Sergeant Carla Deighton, of GMP's Bolton district, said:

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"First and foremost, I would like to highlight that our fight against this type of crime and our efforts to prevent and reduce it do not stop here – this is just one example of our success in doing so.

"We are committed to delivering outstanding service to our communities here in Bolton and we understand that they, rightly, expect that to include efforts to keep both them and their property safe whilst caring for those who have unfortunately been targeted.

"We will absolutely continue to take action against those we believe are responsible for breaking in to people's homes and taking items which don't belong to them but intelligence from members of the public is vital so I ask that that is reported to us or Crimestoppers."

Greater Manchester Police can be contacted via gmp.police.uk or 101. In an emergency, always dial 999. Information about crime can also be shared anonymously via the independent charity – Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Crime prevention advice is available here: https://www.gmp.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/