It comes after GMP received reports of a ‘hazmat incident’ at a business premises on Tenax Road in Trafford Park just before 9am this morning (4 March).
A ‘major incident’ has now been declared following police attending the scene.
With the situation still ongoing this afternoon, police officers are currently at the scene, along with colleagues from GMRS and NWAS, as well as multiple fire engines.
ADVERTISEMENT
According to GMP, in the latest update and statement issued just after 11:15am this morning, there has thankfully been no reported injuries following the incident, and everyone at the business premises in Trafford Park have been accounted for.
A 300m cordon is currently in place around the scene.
ADVERTISEMENT
As mentioned, residents and business in Trafford are being advised “on health grounds” to close all doors and windows while investigations continue, and a number of surrounding roads have also been closed as a precaution.
GMP and GMFRS is expected to release updates throughout the day, so anyone potentially affected should keep an eye on official platforms only.
Featured Image – GMP
News
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.
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.”
Featured Image – GMP
News
Manchester football fans warned of rise in resale ticket scams ahead of FA Cup final
Emily Sergeant
Manchester football fans are being warned of a rise in resale ticket scams ahead of the FA Cup final in a couple of weeks time.
History is repeating itself and tensions are building by the day, as Manchester United and Manchester City are facing each other in an all-Manchester final of the Emirates FA Cup at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 25 May.
And, to no surprise, it’s set to be a massive day for football fans in our football-obsessed city.
2023 was the first time the two Manchester clubs battled it out for the FA Cup title in the final in the 151-year-old football competition’s illustrious history, and it was victory for the Citizens, with the trophy was formed a crucial piece of their treble-winning season… but, in what seems to be a repeating turn of events, 2024 is the year of the re-match.
As you’d probably expect, once it was confirmed that United and City would face each other again in the FA Cup final this year, tickets for the match sold out instantly, and there’s only a handful of restricted view seats left now.
Despite Manchester City having even warned that any fans who are found to have resold their ticket will face a ban, there are, however, countless resale sites and individuals are flogging their seats online.
This is why the digital payment experts at takepayments are urging any fans hoping to travel from Manchester to London for the final to remain vigilant, and make sure they are armed with the knowledge and tips that’ll prevent them from falling for fraudulent ticket scams.
“The FA Cup Final is one of the most highly-anticipated matches of the season and there is always huge demand for tickets,” explained Jodie Wilkinson, who is the Head of Strategic Partnerships at takepayments.
“Unfortunately this means ticket touts will be looking to sell seats at inflated prices, as well as conning fans out of their money with fraudulent tickets, or stealing their bank details using a fake resale site.”
She explained that while buying tickets by credit or debit card does cover fans under Section 75 and Chargeback Rules – which is where their card provider could help recover the cost of goods or services if they do not receive what they paid for – paying cash for a ticket doesn’t have the same protection if the ticket ends up being unauthorised.
Research from Lloyds Bank ahead of the new football season last year revealed that the majority of football ticket scams tend to take place on social media platforms via bank transfers, but unfortunately, Jodie admitted that it can be “extremely difficult” to recover money lost from bank transfer scams, as in most cases, victims willingly transfer payment to a fraudster’s account.
“It’s important to only buy tickets from a secure ticket resale site and never send anyone you don’t know and have only spoken to on social media money,” Jodie concluded.
She also said that secure eCommerce websites will have “certain card payment security measures in place” to prevent people from getting scammed, and that fans should be aware of these security measures before making any payments.
Strong Customer Authentication (SCA), 3D Secure Authentication, and Secure Socket Layer (SSL) certifications, are some of the most common measures sites put in place.
More information on card payment security measures can be found on the takepayements website here.
Manchester United and Manchester City will battle it out to be crowned champions in the final of the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday 25 May.