After reports that more vehicles have been stolen from one of the UK’s largest shopping centres than ever before, with GMP saying it’s seeing a trend of offenders using signal jamming and scanning devices to steal vehicles, the police force has decided to launch a new operation called Operation Lexford.
In order to prevent crime and target those going to Trafford to steal specific types of vehicles, GMP worked in partnership with the Trafford Centre security team to set up the new operation.
Operation Lexford is aimed at “robustly tackling vehicle theft in Trafford”.
Since the creation of the operation on 10 January 2023, officers have made 11 arrests and recovered one vehicle – with GMP saying it is specifically seeing Range Rovers and Ford Fiesta cars targeted the most by theives.
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“Cars are of great value to people and we understand that having a car stolen can have a huge impact both financially and emotionally,” admits Chief Inspector Shoheb Chowdhury of GMP’s Trafford District.
“As part of the operation, there will be an increased police presence at the Trafford Centre and we will also be holding weekly police surgeries with focus on providing people with tailored crime prevention advice.
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“We will continue to work to bring offenders to justice, but I would ask that the public to help us to help them, by being vigilant when visiting the Trafford Centre.”
Addressing the recent rise in car theft, and the new operation set up to tackle the problem, a spokesperson from Trafford Centre said: “Our security and customer services teams take car theft very seriously and we are working closely with Greater Manchester Police on this issue.
“We minimise car theft on-site through the use of ANPR, CCTV and camera patrols so all vehicles entering and leaving the car parks are monitored and logged, and we also deploy high profile patrols in all car parks to deter thieves and run multiple police operations on-site to apprehend offenders.
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“This data and footage is made available to GMP as required.”
Police issue warning to Trafford Centre shoppers after recent rise in car thefts / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Alongside its warning, GMP has also issued some tips for shoppers and highlighted a number of ways to minimise the threat of a vehicle being taken when it is parked:
Double check that your car is locked when leaving it, don’t just rely on the fob as signals can be blocked, preventing vehicles locking.
Invest in a faraday bag – they are lined with metal material and could help block the key’s signal.
Don’t leave any valuables on display in your car, even loose change can attract attention.
Invest in a tracking device – it won’t stop the vehicle being stolen, but it can significantly increase the chances of police locating and returning a vehicle to the rightful owner.
Fitting a steering wheel lock can reduce opportunities for theft, as they are a visual deterrent and can slow an offender down.
“As always, stay vigilant and if you notice anything unusual or suspicious, please report it to the police,” GMP said in a statement.
Featured Image – Seth Whales (via Wikimedia Commons)
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Cult US sustainable clothing brand Reformation to open in Manchester city centre
Emily Sergeant
Cult US sustainable clothing brand Reformation is set to open its doors in Manchester very soon.
Since it was first founded in Los Angeles all the way back in 2009, Reformation has gone on to become one of the largest sustainable womenswear brands on the planet, and is now known and loved for making beautiful, timeless apparel and accessories that aim to ‘inspire confidence’ across life stages and occasions.
Operating on a business model that pairs a smart approach to merchandising with a responsive supply chain, Reformation now operates more than 70 retail stores across the US, UK, Canada, and France.
At the heart of the Reformation story is a genuine commitment to ‘doing things differently’.
Since day one, sustainability has been woven into everything the brand makes – from the eco-certified fabrics and responsible factories, to its famously transparent sustainability reports.
Currently, Reformation has five UK stores to its name – but, it may come as no surprise to fans of the brand that they’re all in London.
That’s why the news of this new Manchester opening is such a big deal.
Set to be the label’s first UK store outside of the capital, Reformation has secured a prime spot on King Street in the heart of the city centre, and although there’s no confirmed opening date as of yet, if the shop windows saying ‘Summer 2026’ are anything to go by, we can only imagine it’ll be very soon.
“For Manchester, it’s a landmark moment, and for King Street, it’s the latest signal that this is one of the UK’s most exciting retail destinations,” a spokesperson for King Street said in a statement.
Stay tuned for details on opening dates to be announced in due course.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
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Andy Burnham to begin rolling out new ‘everyday fixes’ for Brits amid cost of living crisis
Emily Sergeant
A series of ‘everyday fixes’ to help combat the rising cost of living crisis are soon to be rolled out nationwide.
Kicking off with two measures today, new Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced that he plans to ban retailers from making ‘misleading’ claims to customers about discounts.
The Government says shoppers have ‘increasingly complained’ about outlets artificially inflating prices to give a false sense of value, such as increasing prices only to then immediately advertise ‘discounts’ to make savings look larger than they really are, which goes on to create an uneven playing field for honest competitors.
The Prime Minister also wants to see an end to so-called ‘subscription traps’, where people find it hard to cancel their subscriptions, and contracts are automatically renewed at a higher cost.
Set to come into force in January 2027 and saving people an average of £14 a month for every unwanted subscription, the changes will mean businesses will need to provide clearer up-front information, regular reminders. and a ‘much easier’ exit to contracts.
Andy Burnham to begin rolling out new ‘everyday fixes’ for Brits amid cost of living crisis / Credit: gov.uk | Piotr Cichosz (via Unsplash)
A new 14-day cooling-off period will also be introduced to let consumers cancel after a trial or long-term contract renews.
Certain charitable memberships, like the ones for cultural and heritage organisations for example, will be excluded from the new subscription rules due to the fact they have a unique role in preserving the nation’s history, landscapes, and cultural collections.
The Prime Minister says he is ‘determined’ to use every chance he gets to restore fairness and take pressure off people.
“I know people are sick and tired of rip-off discounts and subscription traps,” Andy Burnham said. “Westminster has got used to telling people that everyday hassles like this are just part of life, but I don’t think that’s right, especially when the cost of living continues to weigh heavily on so many people’s lives.”
Emily Sergeant -
26th January 2023 
