Manchester City Council confirms it has shut down a house in Crumpsall that was said to be “a nightmare for locals” after alleged criminal activity.
The North Manchester property, on Seymour Road in Crumpsall was linked to possible violence, drug supply and exploitation of women, but has now been shut down and a three-month ban will be placed on anyone returning to it by Manchester Magistrates Court.
For years the dwelling had been “a blight on the community” and local residents frequently complained that its owner was, not only failing to maintain the premises, but was also failing to prevent its use for criminal activity.
The house was declared “a significant drain on resources for both the police and Manchester City Council”.
Greater Manchester Police are said to have responded to at least 86 phone calls since 2014 relating to issues at the property, with evidence of drug use and possible links to exploitation and drug supply having been found during police and Council visits.
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A string of waste offences were also connected to the property since 2016.
Following an application made by Manchester City Council, a Premises Closure Order was granted by Manchester Magistrates Court on 2nd July, following a two-week adjournment.
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We have successfully shut down a house in Crumpsall that was a nightmare for locals – with regular anti-social behaviour & criminal activity.
— Manchester City Council #StaySafe❤ (@ManCityCouncil) July 8, 2020
Councillor Nigel Murphy, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council,said: “This property has been nothing short of a horror show for the people living in this neighbourhood [and] as a Council, we always want to try and engage with people before we go to the courts but in this case our attempts have been futile.”
“The owner has failed to address the litany of problems, so we were forced to take this action.”
“Officers from across the Council have diligently collected evidence that have resulted in this order and I am incredibly grateful for their efforts. This has been a long and complex case and I am glad to have secured a victory for our residents.”
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“The Council wants to ensure that everyone in Manchester can enjoy a healthy and happy life, free of anti-social behaviour.”
The premises are now closed for three months, with it being an offence punishable by imprisonment for a period of up to six months, an unlimited fine, or both, if anyone other than the owner, employee, or agent acting on behalf of Manchester City Council, or the emergency services, enters.
The Council has the authority to extend the order by a further three months.
A long-term solution is still being sought for this property to ensure that the people of Crumpsall can have permanent respite from the anti-social and criminal behaviour linked to the address.
For more information, visit the Manchester City Council website here.
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Government to begin giving millions of UK workers ‘significant’ pay rises from this week
Emily Sergeant
The Government is to begin giving more than three million workers across the UK a ‘significant pay boost’ from this week.
Announced as part of last year’s Budget, and in a bid to ‘put thousands of pounds back in the pockets of working people every year’, the Government confirmed back at the beginning of February that a new National Living Wage of £12.21 per hour, and a new National Minimum Wage of £10 per hour would take effect from April onwards.
Ministers said the 6.7% increase to the National Living Wage – which is now worth £1,400 a year for an eligible full-time worker – is a ‘significant step’ towards delivering the manifesto commitment to deliver a ‘genuine’ living wage.
Today, millions of working people will get a pay rise as the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage increase.
New rates:
🔹 from £11.44 to £12.21 if you’re 21 and over 🔹 from £8.60 to £10.00 if you’re 18-20 🔹 from £6.40 to £7.55 if you’re under 18 or an apprentice
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) April 1, 2025
On top of this, the National Minimum Wage for 18-20-year-olds is also set to go up by a record increase of £1.40 an hour, which means full-time younger workers eligible for the rate will see their pay boosted by £2,500 a year.
The minimum wage pay boot has also been called the first step towards removing the ‘unfair’ age-bands that see a 21-year-old getting paid more than a 20-year-old for doing the same job.
According to the Government, this is also the first time the National Living Wage has taken into account the cost of living and inflation.
Three million UK workers will be getting a ‘significant’ pay rise from this week / Credit: Pexels
“In the last Parliament, living standards were the worst on record and sky-high inflation was crushing working people’s finances,” commented Chancellor Rachel Reeves, explaining why the pay boosts are being introduced.
“Making work pay is good for workers, will strengthen businesses’ workforces, and will grow our economy for years to come.
“It’s a key milestone on my number one mission to get more money in people’s pockets as we deliver our Plan for Change.”
Not only that, but the minimum hourly wage for an apprentice is also set to be boosted later this year too, with an 18-year-old apprentice seeing their minimum hourly pay increase by 18% to £7.55 an hour.
As a result of these particular changes, a further four million workers also could benefit from the positive spill-over impacts of the rate increases.
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News
Body of woman found in River Mersey last year finally identified after ‘extensive’ investigation
Emily Sergeant
The body of woman who was found in the River Mersey last year has finally been identified.
Following what has been described as an ‘extensive investigation’ by Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) Major Incident Team to determine the identity of the body, which was sadly discovered in the river adjacent to Chorlton Water Park on 21 March 2024, the family of the victim has now been informed and supported by specialist officers.
The victim has been formally named as 38-year-old Laura Stanley, who was originally from Derbyshire but was living in Stockport.
After the body was discovered, and ‘exhaustive and determined’ investigation by GMP officers began to identify here, including detailed checks of both national and international databases.
The Major Incident Team (MIT) also closely worked in collaboration with specialist forensic service providers to create an anthropological profile, which eventually culminated in the creation of a facial reconstruction image.
Following several media appeals, a relative of Laura contacted officers and then a DNA match was confirmed through a familial link.
“Laura was a kind and gentle person with a great sense of fun and adventure,” Laura’s family said in a heartbreaking tribute to her.
“She was generous, thoughtful, caring and always keen to volunteer within the community. Laura was a proud and loving mum and she will be greatly missed by her girls and all of her friends and family who loved her dearly.”
The River Mersey, across from Chorlton Water Park, where Laura’s body was discovered / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
While Laura has now been identified, police say further investigations will take place to understand her last movements, the events that led to her death, and her discovery in the river.
Additionally, as is standard practice, GMP’s Professional Standards Directorate is also reviewing a previous missing report relating to Laura in the time before the discovery of her body, which will determine prior contact relating to Laura, and whether the appropriate measures were enacted.
#UPDATE | A woman who was discovered in the River Mersey last year has been identified following an extensive investigation by officers in GMP’s Major Incident Team.
Thank you to those of you who have shared our appeals over the last year.
Anyone who knew Laura and thinks they may be able to assist with the investigation is asked to contact police by calling 101, or by using the Live Chat Service at gmp.police.uk, quoting log number 1191 of 21 March 2024.
Alternatively, you can contact the Major Incident Team Syndicate 3 directly on 0161 856 9479, or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The Manc -
9th July 2020 
