News

Canal Street cordoned off after ‘suspicious chemicals’ reported at hotel

There's a large emergency services presence

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 11th May 2026

Canal Street and several other streets in the Gay Village in Manchester have been cordoned off this afternoon.

Greater Manchester Police are attending reported of a smell that’s believed to be chemicals coming from a hotel room in the area.

There’s a huge emergency services presence in the area, including vehicles from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue, and the North West Ambulance Service.

Police have confirmed that they have detained a man who is believed to have been the occupant of the hotel room.

The hotel itself has been evacuated while the material is examined.

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Thankfully, no one has been injured in the incident that has shut down part of Canal Street today.

Emergency services vehicles at the scene on Canal Street
Emergency services vehicles at the scene on Canal Street
The cordon in place on Canal Street
The cordon in place on Canal Street

GMP said in a statement: “We are currently searching a hotel room at a premises on Canal Street, Manchester. This follows a report of a smell – currently believed to be chemicals – causing suspicion.

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“A man, believed to be the occupant of the room, has been detained and is currently in custody.

“As a precautionary measure, the hotel has been evacuated while specialist resources examine the material and conduct further enquiries.

“No-one has been injured and we are working to establish the full circumstances. We thank people for their patience as we continue with our work.”

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Featured image: The Manc Group

News

England football fans warned as ticket scams skyrocket ahead of World Cup

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Crowd at football match

England football fans are being warned to remain vigilant, as ticket scams skyrocket ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup merely weeks from officially kicking off in the North America and Mexico on 11 June, football fans are being urged to guard against scams, as newly-released data from Lloyds has revealed that football ticket scams increased by more than a third (36%) during the current Premier League season.

The findings – which are based on thousands of scam cases between October 2025 and March 2026 – showed that fraudsters focused heavily on popular teams such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chelsea.

Fraudsters also repeatedly targeted supporters looking for tickets to some of the most in-demand football matches in the UK, which is why, with the upcoming World Cup set to be one of the most speculated sporting events of the year, scam warnings are being issued.

It’s anticipated that fraudsters will target the big-name fixtures and attempt to exploit international demand, according to Lloyds.

England football fans are being warned as ticket scams skyrocket ahead of the World Cup / Credit: Picryl

On average, it was revealed that victims lost £215 during the current Premier League football season, but some fans even paid thousands of pounds for ‘season tickets’ or VIP seats that never existed.

Hopeful football fans are expected to pay much more for expensive World Cup tickets, meaning the potential loss for victims could be ‘devastating’.

As scammers know demand for World Cup tickets will be huge, it’s expected that they will mimic the methods seen in club level scams – including fake listings on social media, pressure to act fast, and requests for bank transfers.

“Fraudsters thrive on urgency and target fans looking for hard to get tickets for big name fixtures,” explained Liz Ziegler, who is the Fraud Prevention Director at Lloyds.

“Most of the football ticket scams we see start on social media, before the criminal moves the buyer onto WhatsApp and insists on a bank transfer to pay. It’s incredibly convincing, and we don’t want fans to lose their money trying to support their team.

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“We’re urging supporters to stay alert and stick to official ticketing channels.”

Ahead of the World Cup, Lloyds and the Home Office have teamed up to take action to protect fans by highlighting how criminals will try to exploit the excitement – with Lord Hanson adding: “Our new fraud strategy sets out how we will use every tool at our disposal to disrupt and dismantle criminal operations, bring fraudsters to justice and strengthen support for victims.”

Featured Image – Pexels

News

Cold case solved after 34 years as Stockport man is jailed for indecent assault and attempted rape

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A cold case has finally been solved after more than three decades, as a man has been jailed for indecent assault and attempted rape.

Aron Traynor, 56, of London Road in Stockport, was sentenced at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court last Friday (8 May 2026) for the violent indecent assault and attempted rape of a then 74-year-old woman all the way back in 1992.

The conviction follows a renewed cold case investigation by Greater Manchester Police’s (GMP) Cold Case Unit, as well as advances in forensic science that allowed the evidence to be re‑examined.

The victim – who has sadly since passed away – was attacked by a stranger while walking near her home.

Despite extensive forensic work at the time, no suspect was identified, and the case remained under ‘active review’. Then in 2005, the Cold Case Unit commissioned further forensic analysis, producing a near‑complete DNA profile that was added to the National DNA Database… unfortunately though, no match was found at that time.

A breakthrough came when a DNA sample taken from Traynor following an unrelated arrest for drink-driving in August 2023 matched the profile developed by the Cold Case Unit, finally bringing long‑awaited justice for the victim’s family.

In October 2023, the Cold Case Unit was formally notified of the DNA match, and Traynor was arrested shortly afterwards.

A five‑day jury trial in March 2026 found him guilty on both charges, and last week, he was sentenced to 13 years in prison.

Speaking following Traynor’s sentencing last week, Detective Chief Inspector Cheryl Hughes said: “Time is quite simply no barrier to justice.

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“Today’s sentencing shows that we never close investigations into serious violent or sexual offences. DNA is crucial, but it’s the painstaking work of our officers – revisiting evidence, tracing witnesses, and rebuilding the investigative picture – that ultimately brings offenders to justice.

“Offenders should be in no doubt that forensic science continues to advance, and every interaction they have with the criminal justice system increases the chance of their crimes being uncovered.”

Featured Image – GMP

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