It’s been almost a decade since Robert Hart’s death, following an unprovoked attack at Parklife festival – and his killer has never been found.
Robert, who was 26 at the time of the attack in 2014, had been one of thousands partying and enjoying Manchester’s biggest music festival.
But his weekend came to the most tragic end when he was punched unconscious after reportedly defending his girlfriend, who was being hit by an inflatable toy.
Robert was rushed to hospital, where he died days later from his injuries.
A £50k reward is now being offered for any information that leads to the conviction of his killer, almost 10 years on.
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The attacker has been described as mixed race, in his mid-20s, around 6ft to 6ft 2in tall, of muscular build with short, dark hair which was shaved at the sides.
The suspect may have been with several people, one of whom is an unknown woman believed to be white, mid-20s, with shoulder-length blonde hair, about 5ft 7ins tall, and possibly wearing a pink t-shirt.
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GMP has made a fresh appeal for information relating to Robert’s death at Parklife on BBC’s Crimewatch Live today, adding that the £50k reward ‘is payable for information that leads to charge and conviction’.
Robert Hart was from Macclesfield and was attacked at the Heaton Park festival on Saturday 7 June 2014.
Anyone who attended Parklife on that date, especially those who were around the main stage at around 9pm just after Rudimental’s set had finished and before Snoop Dogg was due on, is asked to share photos and videos.
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The area that the attack on Robert Hart took place at Parklife in 2014
Detective Inspector Madeline Kelly, from GMP’s Major Crime Review Team, said: “Even though this terrible incident was almost 10 years ago, it will still be fresh in the minds of many people, especially Robert’s family and people who were at Parklife.
“Despite the passing of time, the heartache felt by Robert’s family has not faded.
“Just as we were in 2014, we are determined to catch the person responsible which is why we are taking a fresh look at the evidence and appealing for the assistance of the public.
“We are appealing for people to dig deep into their consciences – it you were one of the people involved on the day we would urge you to come forward.
“No-one went to the festival that weekend with thoughts of violence.
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“Allegiances and friendships will have changed so if anyone has any information they can report it to police in confidence, particularly if they feel they could not before.
“We are also asking for people at Parklife on Saturday 7 June 2014 to share their photos and videos with us – especially people who were around the main stage at around 9pm just after Rudimental had finished their set and before Snoop Dogg was due on.”
Crimewatch Live has replayed some of the original appeal from 2014 to coincide with what would have been Robert’s 36th birthday at the start of March.
Robert’s mum Elaine said: “Robert loved music and played his guitar all the time – music was the reason he went to Parklife. He didn’t go to Parklife for anything other than for his love of music.
“I visit him every week in Macclesfield Cemetery – he shouldn’t be there, he should be here, enjoying and living his life to the full with a family of his own.”
Greater Manchester Police can be contacted via www.gmp.police.uk or 101. In an emergency, always dial 999. Information about a crime can also be shared anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Altrincham named one of the UK’s best places to live in 2026 in The Sunday Times’ annual ranking
Emily Sergeant
A popular Greater Manchester town has been named among the UK’s best places to live by the Sunday Times in its annual ranking.
That’s right… it’s that time of year, once again.
The Sunday Times is known for pulling together a list of what it considers to be the most sought-after places to live in the UK every year, and 2026’s ranking has officially been published today – with dozens of locations across the country making up the comprehensive guide, and six of those coveted locations being right here in the North West.
The Sunday Times’s expert judges have visited all locations on the list, and assessed factors such as schools, transport, culture, broadband speeds, access to green spaces, the health of the high streets, and much more to devise the always-talked-about annual ranking.
Macclesfield in Cheshire, Eden Valley in Cumbria, Lancaster in Lancashire, and Aigburth in Liverpool are just some of the North West areas named by the publication in the 2026 list.
Altrincham has been named one of the best places to live in the UK / Credit: The Manc Group
A spotlight has also been shone on two Greater Manchester towns, and one of two has even been given the regional North West title… but which are they?
Where has taken the top spot as the best place to live in the North West for 2026, and is therefore one of the best places to live in the whole of the country? Well, that honour has been given to none other than Greater Manchester’s very-own Altrincham.
The publication described the Trafford town as ‘classy, cool and effortlessly comfortable’.
“Altrincham is a top-notch town brimming with independent businesses and big brands, and now it’s flying even higher,” The Sunday Times said.
The fact that co-working has now arrived on the high street thanks to the conversion of the old Rackhams department store, and that the town’s cultural and creative ‘cachet’ is also on the rise, have been highlighted as reasons as to why Altrincham has been chosen as the North West’s winner, as well its newly-flourishing fitness scene.
Of course, the town has also been praised for its transport links into Manchester city centre and across the region, as well as it being a great place for families thanks to the excellent local schools on offer.
Didsbury was the other Greater Manchester town chosen to represent the best of the North West – with the Manchester suburb described as being ‘stylish, solid, safe, and, yes, a little bit smug in parts… but that’s okay’.
You can read the full Altrincham feature here, and see where else The Sunday Times included in its list for 2026 here.
Featured Image – Geograph
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11 arrested and £70k cash seized during early-morning police drug raids across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
11 people have been arrested, as well as a large amount of cash and drugs seized, during early-morning raids across Greater Manchester.
The raids took place during the early hours of the morning yesterday (Thursday 19 March 2026), where Greater Manchester Police (GMP) successfully executed eight warrants simultaneously across Tameside, Oldham, and Rochdale to tackle a ‘suspected criminal network’ involved in the distribution of class A drugs and firearms.
Officers from Tameside Programme Challenger team, the District Intelligence Unit (DIU), and GMP’s Tactical Aid Unit (TAU) were deployed to each of the addresses.
Following weeks of intelligence gathering and preparation, a total of 11 people – each aged between 24 and 77 – were arrested on suspicion of drug-related offences during the raids.
Eight men and three women were arrested on suspicion of a range of offences, including conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs, being part of an organised crime group, possession with intent to supply, money laundering, and possession of an offensive weapon.
They all remain in police custody for questioning at this time, GMP confirmed.
During searches of the addresses, various class A, B and C drugs – including crack cocaine, heroin, cannabis, and nitrous oxide – were seized, while further recoveries of £70,000 in cash, a zombie knife, a BB gun, and four vehicles were also made at the same time.
Speaking following the success of the raids yesterday, Chief Superintendent Shan Nasim, District Commander for Tameside, said: “[This] operation has been a powerful example of our continued, determined effort to dismantle organised crime in our district and Greater Manchester.
“We have 11 people in custody being questioned by our investigation teams in relation to an organised crime group (OCG) that have been causing widespread harm across our communities.
“This action caused significant disruption of an organised crime group (OCG) and has prevented drugs and weapons from reaching the streets, as well as the associated harms that come hand in hand with organised crime.
“Organised criminals exploit vulnerable people and blight our communities; we will take robust action to catch offenders, keep our communities safe, and protect vulnerable people across Greater Manchester.”
Daisy Jackson -
22nd March 2024 
