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Mancs are being asked for their views on transferring CAZ cameras to police to ‘prevent and tackle’ crime

What are your thoughts on this? You can have your say now.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 29th September 2025

Greater Manchester residents are being asked to give their views on transferring control of former Clean Air Zone cameras to the police.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) is seeking the approval of the local public to allow Greater Manchester Police (GMP) to have full control of the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) that were installed for the now-defunct Clean Air Zone scheme in a bid to help ‘prevent and tackle’ crime.

GMCA believes that if the cameras are transferred over to police, this will help to keep communities safe and support victims going forward.

The six-week consultation was launched this past Friday (26 September) to seek views on changing the ‘main use’ of the cameras.

ANPR data can identify vehicles associated with crime and terrorism, and can ‘dramatically’ speed up investigations.

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GMP can already access information and number plate images from the cameras at this time, but do need to request permission from Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) beforehand – which it says ‘takes time’ and ’causes delays’.

Transferring ownership to GMP would allow camera data to go straight into local police systems, so that officers can act more quickly in real-time to help keep communities safe and solve serious crimes.

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The consultation has been launched after insights into a non-charging scheme was published by GMCA back in December 2023, and then it was confirmed back in January of this year that Greater Manchester’s plan for the introduction of a non-charging clean air zone had been backed by the Government.

It also comes after it was confirmed in July that the more than 1,300 Clean Air Zone signs installed across Greater Manchester at the start of the scheme would finally be taken down.

Mancs are being asked for their views on transferring CAZ cameras to police to ‘prevent and tackle’ crime / Credit: The Manc Group | Flickr

“We don’t have the same level of ANPR cover that other similar forces have, and this can hold us back in protecting the public,” explained Chief Superintendent Neil Jones, from GMP.

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“The data supplied from these ANPR cameras has already played a key role in GMP investigations ranging from missing persons to serious crimes such as sexual assault and murder, so by taking on ownership of the cameras and having a direct feed into our network, we’ll be able to act even more swiftly to protect people and communities and bring criminals to justice.”

GMP says it’s ‘committed’ to regularly reviewing the location of ANPR cameras to make sure their use remains justified.

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The consultation will be running up until 11:59pm on Thursday 6 November, and residents are invited to submit any comments or questions before this time.

A decision on future arrangements is expected by the end of 2025, and you can find out more and fill out the survey here – https://gmconsult.org/ANPR

Featured Image – Pixnio

News

Peter Kay cancels shows to ‘rest and recover’ following routine surgical procedure

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Peter Kay has been announced as the opening act for Co-op Live Arena. Credit: Supplied

Peter Kay has announced that he will be cancelling and rescheduling some of his shows following a routine surgical procedure.

The shows have been postponed to allow the Bolton comedian time to ‘rest and recover’.

The two shows that have been cancelled and rearranged for new dates are his upcoming weekend shows at Nottingham Motorpoint Arena – with the comedy legend set to grace the stage on both Sunday 5 and Monday 6 October.

Demand to see Peter Kay has been through the roof, so much so that several ticket sites crashed when the tour was first announced.

He first started his current tour back in December 2022, and shows were originally planned all the way into the middle of 2025, but late last year, he added even more shows to his lineup – with the new dates meaning that he would be delivering his side-splitting stand-up show all the way into 2026.

Peter Kay has cancelled shows to ‘rest and recover’ following a routine surgical procedure / Credit: BBC | Peter Kay (via X)

The 52-year-old already performed 100 stand-up shows at the AO Arena, breaking all attendance and performance records along the way, and he’s also the first artist in the world to perform a monthly residency at The O2 in London.

But sadly, all good things must come to a halt sometimes, as Kay has been forced to cancel some shows due to undergoing a ‘routine’ kidney stone procedure.

A statement confirming the cancellations of the two upcoming shows was shared by Kay’s team on his official X account today.

“We regret to inform you that due to a routine kidney stone procedure, Peter will be unable to perform his scheduled shows at Nottingham Motorpoint Arena on Sunday 5 October and Monday 6 October,” Kay’s team said in a statement.

“Following medical advice, Peter will be taking a period of time to rest and recover.”

Going on to thank fans and ticketholders for their ‘patience and understanding’ about the cancellations, Kay’s team then confirmed that the shows have been rescheduled to dates in mid-December instead, and that all tickets remain valid for these new dates.

The Sunday 5 October show has been rescheduled for Thursday 11 December, and the 6 October show has been moved to Friday 12 December.

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Anyone unable to attend the new dates can request refunds from their original point of purchase.

Featured Image – Publicity Picture

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Planned bus strikes across Greater Manchester have now been suspended

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

The second round of bus strikes planned across Greater Manchester this week have now been suspended.

It comes after the first set of disruptive strikes took place from 19 to 22 September, and the next lot were set to be carried out from tomorrow (Tuesday 30 September) until this Thursday (2 October) – but they have now been called off.

In case this is the first you’re hearing of the upcoming industrial action, 2,000 workers who are employed by Stagecoach, Metroline Manchester, and First Bus Rochdale – all of which are firms among those that make up the bus part of the Bee Network – were due to walk out in a co-ordinated strike amid an ongoing pay dispute.

Unite the Union says all the firms are ‘highly profitable’ and it’s therefore ‘disappointing’ that workers are being denied a fair wage.

Planned bus strikes across Greater Manchester’s Bee Network this week have been suspended / Credit: TfGM

At Stagecoach, around 1,000 drivers based across the Oldham, Stockport, and Middleton depots have rejected a pay offer of 3.5%, and 1,000 Metroline Manchester members will also do the same after turning down an ‘unsatisfactory’ below-inflation pay offer.

Workers at both Metroline and Stagecoach believe the offer doesn’t address years of low pay they’ve recieved, especially given the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Then, over at First Bus Rochdale, 110 members have rejected this year’s pay offer of 6%, as they feel this does not go far enough to address the fact they’ve had years of being paid less than their counterparts at other companies, and are still the lowest paid in the region.

Stagecoach, Metroline, and First Bus Rochdale, part of First Group PLC, are all firms which have seen a rise in profits in recent years.

2,000 drivers were set to stage strike action over two different periods / Credit: TfGM

But now, Unite the Union confirmed today that strikes will be suspended whilst it ballots members at First and Stagecoach on a revised offer.

It’s hoped that staff at Metroline will also agree the same approach today, meaning that all buses across Greater Manchester will run as normal this week.

“We’ve been working throughout the weekend, doing everything in our power to bring the negotiations between bus operators and union colleagues to a fair resolution,” explained Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham.

“This is positive progress and we’re pleased that union colleagues have now agreed to suspend strike action to ballot their members, so we encourage staff at Metroline to do the same, in turn averting any strike action taking place this week.

“I have been clear that we support the aims of the unions – bus drivers deserve a better deal. But it has to be delivered in way that’s affordable and sustainable for the Bee Network.

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“We’re hopeful that agreements can be reached between operators and unions to conclude the pay negotiations.”

Featured Image – TfGM

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