Detectives who are investigating the currently ‘unexplained’ death of a Salford man have urgently appealed for information.
The public appeal comes after officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) was called to reports of concern for welfare of a man at Riverside in Salford, near to the River Irwell, last Sunday (9 March) – but sadly, once emergency services arrived on the scene, the man in his 40s was pronounced dead, despite the best efforts of all involved.
Police have now officially named the man as Richard Crawt.
At this time, GMP says his passing is ‘still being treated as unexplained’, and enquiries are currently ongoing to establish the circumstances of his death.
Withe the investigation actively ongoing, GMP is now seeking help from the Greater Manchester public to identify a timeline of Richard’s movements prior to his death.
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#APPEAL | Richard Crawt was sadly pronounced dead at Riverside on Sunday 9 March 2025.
We want to identify a timeline of his movements to understand where & when he was prior to being found deceased.
They want to understand where and when he was, prior to being found deceased.
It’s believed that Richard was using a blue tent – a picture of which has been released by GMP – and it’s believed that this tent had been pitched on a sandy beach area near the meadows in Salford on Saturday 1 March.
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Richard, who was ‘known and loved’ by many, was described by his distraught family as having ‘a heart of gold’, but had sadly just ‘fallen on some hard times in life’.
Appealing to the public for information, Detective Inspector Justin Bryant, from GMP’s Salford district, said: “Our investigation team has been working tirelessly to piece together a timeline of events leading up to this tragic discovery. We have been trawling CCTV footage, speaking with residents in the area to try and understand how and why Richard came to be in this location.
The image released by GMP of the blue tent Richard was using / Credit: GMP
“At this stage of our investigation, we are still working to establish Richard’s final movements and the circumstances that led him to the river [so] we need your help.
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“If you were in the vicinity of the River Irwell in Salford around the Lower Broughton area and in particular the Meadows, or if you had any interaction with Richard in the days before his death, please speak with us, no matter how insignificant it may seem to you.
“Richard’s family deserves answers during this incredibly difficult time.”
Anyone with any information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact GMP on 0161 856 4585 or 101, quoting log number 2221 of 09/03/2025, or you can report anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GMP
News
Victim named and murder investigation launched after young woman is killed in Newton Heath stabbing
Emily Sergeant
The victim of a street stabbing in Newton Heath this week has been named for the first time as a murder investigation continues.
It comes after officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) responded to reports of a disturbance at around 2am yesterday (Thursday 15 October) on Dorking Avenue, in the Newton Heath area of Manchester, and when they arrived on the scene, they found a woman in her 20s with serious injuries that were ‘consistent with a stabbing’.
Despite best efforts of all emergency services involved, the young woman was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
As the murder investigation progresses, the woman has now been publicly named and a photo of her has been released for the first time.
She has been named as 26-year-old Alisha Samuels.
At this time, one man, aged 25, has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and a man and woman, aged 61 and 38, have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, and they all remain in custody – with officers continuing their enquiries to establish the full circumstances of this incident.
Alisha’s family have asked for privacy whilst they deal with the devastating loss of their loved one, GMP has stated.
“We are continuing to urge people who may have information in relation to this incident to please come forward to support our investigation and bring justice for Alisha,” the police force said in a public appeal.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or has mobile phone, CCTV, or doorbell footage, is urged to call GMP on 0161 856 5464, or contact them via the Major Incident Public Portal here.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
Featured Image – GMP (Family Handout)
News
Former supply teacher jailed for multiple upskirting and AI sex offences across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
A former supply teacher has been jailed for multiple upskirting and AI sex offences in schools across Greater Manchester.
Abusali Rahman – a British national of Bangladeshi ethnicity from Salford – appeared in Bolton Crown Court this week for his sentencing after first being charged with, and then pleading guilty to, several offences.
The offences are including, but not limited to, 12 counts of taking an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child (images obtained by upskirting), three counts of making indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child (making AI-generated images), and one count of attempting to meet girl under 16 following sexual grooming.
The offences are alleged to have taken place between December 2023 and June 2025, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
Twelve girls have been identified in relation to the upskirting offences – aged between 13 and 16 at the time of the alleged offending – at seven high schools in three Greater Manchester boroughs (Bury, Bolton, and Salford).
GMP says it has remained in close contact with the schools, local authorities, and other partners throughout the investigation to ensure all appropriate support is in place for those who need it.
Additionally, the court also heard how Rahman amassed a collection of images of young girls, using AI and other methods to sexualise them.
The images numbered more than 300 in total, ranging from Category A to Category C classifications, and Rahman would post these on social media, often alongside humiliating and disgusting captions.
Rahman was sentenced to six years in prison, and will also be subject to a 20-year Sexual Harm Protection Order.
A former supply teacher has been jailed for child sex offences in schools across Greater Manchester / Credit: GMP
Detective Constable Lisa McGaffin, from GMP’s Bolton Child Protection Team, described Rahman’s crimes as ‘absolutely abhorrent’.
“My thoughts throughout this process have always been with the young girls who have been subject to such indignity,” DC McGaffin said following the sentencing this week. “Their welfare and support will always be a priority for us.
“While working as a teacher – someone who young children should trust and be safe with – Rahman repeatedly took secret photos for his own sick gratification, before posting images online which showed his total disregard for the girls’ respect and dignity.
Emily Sergeant -
17th March 2025 
