A man who robbed an elderly woman on a mobility scooter in Cheetham Hill has been arrested following a police chase.
It comes after officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called to reports of a robbery on Woodlands Road in the Cheetham Hill area of Manchester, just after 11pm last Saturday night (3 February).
During the distressing incident, it’s believed that a man approached an elderly woman on a mobility scooter, and “forcibly” stole her bag from her.
He then ran off with “a large amount” of her money, GMP explained.
Police say they were on the scene “immediately” following the reports to support the victim, who was understandably shaken, but was able to brief officers with a description of the suspect.
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Woodlands Road in Cheetham Hill, where the robbery occurred / Credit: Google Maps
After receiving information about the suspect’s description, two other police officers then proceed to chased the suspect.
Despite trying to scale a fence during the police chase in a bid to get away from officers, the suspect was eventually stopped in his tracks by as they caught him, and during his struggle trying to escape, he also lost several bank notes.
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The man was then detained and searched, GMP has confirmed, and police were able to successfully recover the victim’s bag and her money to return to her.
Following the incident, which GMP has called “cruel and cowardly”, it’s been confirmed that the man has been arrested on suspicion of robbery, and he currently remains in police custody for questioning.
#ARREST | Police chase & arrest man who robbed elderly woman in Cheetham Hill.
Last night, it’s believed that a man approached a woman on a mobility scooter. He stole her bag & ran off with her money.
“This was a cruel and cowardly attack against an elderly woman,” commented Chief Inspector Paul Nolan, from GMP’s North Manchester division.
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“We do not underestimate the psychological impact of offences of this nature, and we will continue to support her as we progress this case. This was great work by our response officers whose teamwork and fast thinking meant we were able to detain the suspect quickly, and I am pleased that we were able to return the items to the victim.
The family of a ‘loving’ Harpurhey mum have paid a heartfelt tribute to her as a man has been charged with murder.
The tribute has been released after Greater Manchester Police (GMP) was called to an address on Queens Road, in the Harpurhey area of Manchester, in the early hours of the morning at 4:07am this Monday just gone (7 April).
Sadly, despite the speed with which officers arrived on the scene, a 51-year-old woman was found dead on arrival.
GMP has now confirmed her identity as Clare Burns.
#TRIBUTE | The family of a “loving mother” have released a tribute as man charged with murder.
Clare Burns sadly died in Harpurhey on Monday morning. Leonard Lee Stewart (8.4.70) of Queens Road, Manchester, has been charged with murder.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) April 9, 2025
Paying tribute to Clare following her passing, her family wrote: “Clare was a loving mother, auntie, sister and daughter. She was funny, outgoing and a very independent person. She was also kind, generous and friendly to anyone she met.
“Clare would always light up the room she entered, and she was a brilliant friend to many. We will miss her dearly.”
With a murder investigation subsequently launched, a 55-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder at the scene, following initial enquiries.
The family of a ‘loving’ Harpurhey mum have paid a touching tribute to her as a man is charged with murder / Credit: GMP
Leonard Lee Stewart, from Manchester, has been charged with murder, and the 54-year-old remained in police custody ahead of his next appearance at Manchester City Magistrates’ Court today (Wednesday 9 April).
Due to past contact between GMP, and the victim and suspect, it’s been confirmed that the Professional Standards Directorate have made a voluntarily referral to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) – which is now assessing the case.
Anyone with any information about this case is asked to contact GMP via the case’s major incident portal here, or by calling the incident room on 0161 856 3635.
Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GMP
News
New driving test cancellation rules introduced by DVSA to reduce waiting times
Learner drivers will now be required to give longer notice periods when they need to cancel their driving tests in a bid to reduce waiting lists.
Up until this week, anyone who had booked a driving test which they could no longer attend had to change or cancel their appointment within three full working days notice, but now, as of yesterday (8 April), the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) requires learner drivers to give 10 days’ notice.
If learners fail to provide the 10 full working days’ notice, then they will not be able to redeem their test fee back.
According to the DVSA’s new rules, only Monday to Saturday count as working days, while Sundays and public holidays do not.
But why has the change been introduced?
The short notice cancellation period for car driving tests changes today ⚠️
You'll now need to give 10 working days' notice to cancel or change your car driving test without losing your fee.
— Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (@DVSAgovuk) April 8, 2025
Well, according to the DVSA, lots of people who are not ready to take their driving test leave it until right at the last moment to change or cancel it, and although that appointment then becomes available to other learner drivers, many of them tend to go unused, given the fact it’s so close to the test date and they may not feel prepared enough.
So, the DVSA hopes that by asking learner drivers to give more notice, it should give other people more chance to use the appointment, and ultimately reduce driving test waiting times.
New driving test cancellation rules have been introduced by the DVSA to reduce waiting times / Credit: pxfuel
There are, of course, some exceptions to the rule, with some learners still being able to apply for a refund at short notice if they have an illness or injury, have suffered a bereavement, have to take a school or college exam, or have their provisional driving license stolen.
On top of this, the DVSA has confirmed that it will continue to pay out-of-pocket expenses for any car driving tests that it has to cancel with fewer than three full working days’ notice.
Emily Sergeant -
5th February 2024 
