Manchester is most burgled city in Britain, new data shows
Following a survey of 2,000 respondents, security camera installation company CCTV.co.uk discovered that there are as many as 15 burglaries per 1,000 people in Manchester.
Mancunians fall victim to more home burglaries than any other residents in Britain, a new study has revealed.
After conducting a survey of 2,000 respondents, security camera installation company CCTV.co.uk revealed that there’s as many as 15 burglaries per 1,000 people in Manchester.
The results arrive during a month blighted by news of burglaries in the city centre – with break-ins reported at both Blue Eyed Panda and Chakalaka.
A little further afield, residents in Failsworth have also set up a street patrol to combat a crime wave in their own neighbourhood.
The north, as a whole, fared particularly badly in the study – with seven of the top ten most-burgled locations sitting above the Midlands.
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Close behind Manchester was the Yorkshire town of Doncaster (with 13.1 burglaries per 1,000 people) and Hull (which recorded 12.5).
Leeds, Bradford, Rotherham and Sheffield residents also complained of high levels of crime in their communities.
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Whilst CCTV Installer James Ritchey admitted the results were puzzling, he said that the number of “densely populated estates and terraces” in a town may play a role.
“We don’t know why Manchester has it so bad,” said Mr. Ritchey.
“Many of the areas prone to burglaries are densely populated estates and terraces, and Manchester is full of these types of homes.”
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He added: “Every burglary has an effect on the person who lives in the home, and burglaries tend to be carried out by a small number of people who live locally to the areas they target.
“Perhaps Manchester and Northern cities are simply more prone to this effect.”
The full list of most-burgled places in Britain was revealed as:
Rank
Location
Burglaries per 1,000 people
1
Manchester
15
2
Doncaster
13.1
3
Hull
12.5
4
Leeds
11.5
5
Bradford
10.4
6
Rotherham
10
7
Sheffield
10
8
Southampton
9.8
9
Birmingham
9.3
10
Northampton
9.1
Whilst Mr. Ritchey admitted the results “paint a worrying picture”, he said a “few simple steps” could help to deter burglars.
These include the installation of physical barriers such as fences, hedges, gates and doors; locks that are audited regularly by locksmiths; security lights; home alarms; and CCTV cameras with warning signage (telling crooks your property is guarded).
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“Protecting yourself from a burglary doesn’t have to cost the earth,” said Mr. Ritchey.
“[Having security] gives you total peace of mind going into the winter months.”
Council calls on public to suggest names for new public square in Stretford
Emily Sergeant
The Greater Manchester public is being called on to help name a brand-new public square in the heart of Stretford.
Could we have another ‘Boaty McBoatface’ on our hands? As far as public naming competitions go, the comical suggestion for the name of a new RMS ship back in 2016 – which was then given to a fleet of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) instead – will probably always lead the way as the most well-known entrant.
But now, it’s Greater Manchester‘s turn to give it a go and get creative with their naming suggestions, as Trafford Council inviting the local community to name a brand-new public square that’s set to open in the heart of Stretford next year.
Connecting the newly restored King Street and Pinnington Lane, Trafford Council says the new public square will play “a key part in the transformation of the area” and be a “focal point” for the area – with lots of greenery, seating areas, and spaces to “meet, rest and play” and host events too.
Residents are being encouraged to “put their imprint on the Square” by putting forward their suggestions for its name.
All the entries will be condensed into a shortlist and the public will then vote on their favourite.
With the naming competition fully underway, Trafford residents now have the opportunity to talk to the Stretford town centre team, get creative, and post entries into the voting box that’ll be in place in Stretford Mall up until Sunday 19 May, as well as submit their ideas via the Stretford town centre website.
To come up with their names suggestions, the Council wants residents to take inspiration from these three themes:
Heritage – celebrating the fascinating history embedded into Stretford’s identity
Culture – showcasing the rich and vibrant cultural tapestry that defines the essence of the town and its residents
Community – reflecting the strong sense of unity among Stretford’s residents, making the town a welcoming place to live, work, and socialise.
After submissions are closed, the Stretford town centre forum will then decide on three entries that “best represent the area” and have made best use of the inspiration topics to go to the public vote for the final decision.
A town centre polling station will be open for residents to cast their votes in person, or they can do so online via both a Google form or a range of social media polls.
The public vote will officially close on Sunday 16 June, and the unveiling ceremony will take place at The StretFest on Saturday 6 July, where the winner and name of the new public square will be announced.
Fancy shooting a suggestion then? Find out more on the Stretford Town Centre website here.
Featured Image – STC / Bruntwood
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Manchester-born Lord of the Rings and Titanic actor Bernard Hill dies aged 79
Danny Jones
Manchester actor, best known for roles in Lord of the Rings, Titanic, Shirley Valentine and more, has sadly died at the age of 79.
Born in Blackley near the River Irk, historically part of Lancashire, the familiar British face who often popped up in Hollywood too famously played Théoden, the King of Rohan, in the original trilogy of fantasy films as well as Captain Edward Smith in Titanic.
His death was announced by his agent Lou Coulson via the BBC, who confirmed that he passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning.
A statement from his family is expected soon and tributes are already pouring in online.
Hill studied at what is now the Manchester School of Theatre, formerly known as the Polytechnic School of Theatre and also went on to appear in the much-loved BBC drama by Alan Bleasdale, Boys from the Blackstuff, back in 1982.
Playing the character of Yosser Hughes – best-known for the line “gizza a job” – the show went on to be awarded a BAFTA for best drama series in 1983 and was ranked as the seventh best TV show ever made on a 2000 round-up by the British Film Institute
He was also due for a big return to TV screens in series two of another BBC hit, The Responder starring Martin Freeman, which begins airing at 9pm this Sunday.