Police have launched an investigation after the leader of Oldham Council fell victim to a ‘firebombing’ attack this week in which her vehicle was set alight.
Emergency services rushed to the Glodwick area of Oldham around 1.30am on Tuesday (13 July) after reports of a vehicle on fire.
Firefighters successfully tamed the blaze and nobody was injured during the incident, although “minor damage” was caused to a nearby property.
Shah – who made history by becoming the first Muslim female council leader in North England back in May – has not yet commented on the attack, but fellow politicians have weighed in to offer her support.
Jim McMahon, MP for Oldham West & Royton, called the attack “cowardly” – stating that the “full weight of the law must be seen to bring those accountable to book”.
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Chair of the Labour Party Annelise Dodds also sent her best wishes to the councillor, describing the incident as “appalling”.
Dodds added: “The authorities must find out who was responsible and bring the full force of the law to hold them to account.”
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Howard Sykes, Councillor for Shaw, published a statement on behalf of the Oldham Liberal Democrats, describing the firebombing as a “frightening attack on an individual” but also an incident that “demonstrates the threat to people in public life and stops decent people from being involved in it.”
The statement reads: “This cannot be allowed to continue, and not only must we stop this criminal attack, but also the abusive approach that has been too much of the politics in Oldham recently, and the UK, in recent years.
“This is a time when we must stand together. If you are a decent, fair-minded person, you must stand up against this appalling attack, and defend the values of our country – honesty, decency and fairness.”
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GMP confirmed an investigation was ongoing.
A police spokesperson commented: “Police were called just before 1:30am on Tuesday 13 July to reports of a vehicle on fire.
“Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service attended along with police, and it was established that the vehicle was deliberately ignited, also causing slight damage to a neighbouring property.
“The fire was extinguished, no-one was injured, and officers are investigating the circumstances.”
Information can be passed to the police via 101, or the independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111.
Featured image: Oldham Council
Oldham
Government allocates £5m funding to ‘breathe new life’ into Greater Manchester’s empty high streets
Emily Sergeant
The Government has allocated £5 million in funding to help “breathe new life” into some of the North West’s most struggling high streets.
As part of the ongoing ‘Levelling Up‘ mission, and set to be in force by the summer, the Government announced yesterday (14 May 2024) that new powers are to be given to local Councils and communities to help them regenerate their high streets and fill the growing number of empty shop units.
The new local authority power to “combat high street vacancy” is named High Street Rental Auctions, and it will allow local leaders who know their area best to “take control” of empty properties blighting their high streets, and rent them out to local businesses that want use them.
According to the Government, these new powers will help Councils “level up their high streets” and tackle issues that have stemmed from prolonged high street emptiness, particularly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as low footfall – which has lead to struggling businesses, increased unemployment, and anti-social behaviour.
So, how will it work then?
Well, according the Government, where a high street shop has been empty for over a year, High Street Rental Auctions will allow local leaders to step in and auction off a rental lease for up to five years, and as the auctions will take place with no reserve price, this is supposed to give local businesses and community groups the opportunity to occupy space on the high street at a competitive market rate.
A new ‘trailblazer’ programme has been launched to help get the new powers up and running within a number of communities who are said to be “keen to lead the way”.
On top of these new powers announced yesterday, a new pilot programme helping to “accelerate regeneration” will also give 10 areas a share of £5 million to “breathe new life” onto their high streets by planting new trees, green walls, and green pocket spaces, and improving adjacent parks – with the 10 local authorities taking part set to receive £500,000 each.
The pilot is aiming to help Councils made their high streets fit for the 21st century, and entice residents back to the shops by working in partnership with local people and community organisations to create bespoke plans.
Five high streets in the North West – including two in Greater Manchester – three in Yorkshire and the Humber, one in the West Midlands, and one in the East of England will be awarded funding from the £5m pilot scheme.
Union Street and Yorkshire Street in Oldham town centre, and Hyde town centre in Tameside, are the two Greater Manchester areas set to receive £500,000 each.
If this pilot programme is successful, the Government has already hinted that it could be “rolled out more widely” across the rest of England.
Featured Image – Google Maps
Oldham
Man jailed after sexually assaulting two women on trams in Manchester city centre
Emily Sergeant
A man from Oldham who sexually assaulted two women on trams in Manchester city centre has been handed a jail sentence.
Tahir Ali, who is from the Lees area of Oldham, appeared at Manchester Crown Court last Friday (10 May 2024) and was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault after his offending and reprehensible actions were uncovered following a thorough investigation by Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) dedicated Transport Unit.
The 37-year-old was found to have “intentionally touched two females in a sexual manner” on trams in Manchester city centre, despite being challenged, GMP explained.
A police investigation into the reports made regarding Ali’s actions was subsequently opened, and GMP worked closely with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) on the case – with analysis of CCTV, and witness and victim statements from the tram network and platform, all being carried out and taken into account.
During this investigation, Ali was identified from CCTV images, and then went onto be charged and remanded.
A man from Oldham who sexually assaulted two women on trams in Manchester city centre has been jailed / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
After being found guilty of two counts of sexual assault, Ali has now been sentenced to three years in jail, and has also ben given an indefinite ‘Sexual Harm Prevention Order’ that bans him from any Metrolink tram, platform, or car park in Greater Manchester.
“This sentence shows our commitment to keep passengers safe,” commented PC Matthew Cowin, of GMP’s Transport Unit.
“Violence against women and girls will not be tolerated, and our proactive patrols are the reason we provide visible enforcement and reassurance to all passengers.
“This investigation, and the bravery of the victims to report and recount their experiences, have ensured we have been able to apply and be granted a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which has strict restrictions in place to prevent re-offending due to the risk he poses because of his behaviour.
“Working alongside TfGM we encourage all passengers to report any incidents directly to officers and staff in person, or by calling 101, in full confidence.”