The public are being warned not to approach a convicted killer who has escaped prison for the second time.
Police are appealing for information as they trace the whereabouts of Shane Farrington.
The 39-year-old has absconded from HMP Thorn Cross in Appleton, Warrington.
He was last seen at the prison at around 6.45pm on Thursday 24 March, Cheshire Police say.
The 39-year-old was found guilty of manslaughter in 2009 after killing a prisoner in his cell at HMP Peterborough.
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He has also escaped prison once before, running away from hospital treatment in Norfolk in 2018.
On that occasion the 39-year-old ran through car parks, a farmer’s field and Norwich City’s training ground before being caught by police around two hours later.
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He’s believed to have links in the Peterborough area but was last seen in the north west.
Farrington was wearing a dark top with white writing on the front, blue jeans, black shoes, a dark coat and a dark rucksack last time he was seen.
Superintendent Mike Evans said: “We currently have numerous officers carrying out a variety of searches to locate Farrington.
“While our enquiries are ongoing we’re urging anyone who sees Farrington to not approach him but to instead call Cheshire Constabulary immediately on 999 quoting IML 1230000.
“Officers will be maintaining a presence around the prison and in the local area to provide reassurance to the community. If you have any concerns please do speak to one of them.”
Information can also be passed on anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Featured image: Cheshire Police
Cheshire
The Manc Group launches Audio North platform to showcase music scenes across Northern cities
Daisy Jackson
The Manc Group has launched a new Audio North platform, created to showcase the music scene across all cities and towns in the North of England.
Through video-led content, Audio North will deliver artist interviews, backstage venue secrets, concert highlights, music-inspired vox-pops, live-streamed events and much more, bringing the thriving music scene in the north of England to life on social media.
Through The Manc Group’s websites, Audio North will also bring readers gig announcements as they happen, venue updates, festival line-ups, music reviews, artist stories and more.
We’re already behind pages including The Manc, The HootandThe Sheff, covering cultural news from Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and the surrounding areas.
With a combined 2.3 million followers across our social media platforms and a million website users each month, the group is now dedicated to showcasing the best of the music scene up North.
Audio North is all about championing local and visiting talent to the Northern region, including The Manc Group’s home cities plus neighbouring icons like Liverpool, Newcastle and beyond.
It’s about celebrating the region’s rich musical histories, from Oasis and The Beatles to Pulp, Take That, Pulp and more, while demonstrating to the world that the North is still king of the music industry.
Building on existing partnerships with the UK’s leading venues including the AO Arena in Manchester and the First Direct Arena in Leeds, as well as smaller grassroots venues, plus a long-standing partnership with StreamGM, the new channel will celebrate and amplify British Northern music.
Video series that will launch with Audio North will include ‘Short Stuff’, 60-second videos delving into the histories and origins of local music scenes; ‘On The Street’, chatting to music lovers on the streets and in the queues outside venues; and ‘Audio Meets’, where rising stars and established artists will give their own insights into the music industry, plus an ongoing partnership with Spill The Sound.
Abbie Bartlett, head of brand at The Manc Group, said: “We’re so proud of our northern roots and our home cities, and especially the world-famous music scenes that exist here.
“From The Leadmill to the AO Arena, Night & Day Cafe to the First Direct Arena, The Cavern Club to Brudenell Social Club, we can’t wait to show off all the places and events that make the North such a vibrant and lively place to live.
“Nothing can compare to the buzz of seeing live music, but we hope through Audio North we can provide the next best thing to being inside an actual concert.
“It’s about time we change the London-centric narrative around the UK’s music scene and bring all eyes up North.”
Here’s an example of the kind of exclusive content you can expect from the newly unified entertainment brand and music outlet:
Laura Graham, StreamGM’s Producer said: “The North has always produced a rich source of incredible music, and StreamGM has enjoyed a long-standing partnership with The Manc Group because we share an innate passion, pride and dedication to the region’s music scene.
“Having worked with The Manc Group on a number of very successful music and cultural campaigns over the years, StreamGM is thrilled about the launch of Audio North, and we are here for it!
“Together, StreamGM and Audio North will promote the diversity and global acclaim of our local music and culture. This will include exclusive, collaborative content with two of StreamGM’s biggest online music series: Spill The Sound – a northern indie music show presented by Louise Schofield that platforms renowned and breakthrough talent, and MainRoom; our live-streamed underground clubbing series that brings grassroots northern dancefloors to living rooms across the world, featuring exciting new DJs and club nights from across the region.”
Audio North launches on Thursday 18 July – you can follow it on Instagram HERE.
For more information and to share local music news, email [email protected].
Passengers urged not to fire verbal or physical ‘abuse’ at conductors on Northern trains
Emily Sergeant
Northern is pleading with passengers not to fire verbal or physical “abuse” at conductors on its trains.
As we head into the busy summer travel season, the train operator has highlighted a number of incidents that its crew members have faced in recent years while they’ve been on duty and working to “ensure everyone reaches their destination safely”.
Now, it’s cracking down and asking the public to treat everyone working on the railway with “respect”.
Northern has admitted that while the “overwhelming majority” of people who travel on its trains are polite and respectful, this unfortunately cannot be said for everyone, as there’s sadly been a “very small minority” that has resorted to shouting, spitting, and attacking members of staff over the last couple of years.
The company said it “will not tolerate” verbal and physical abuse towards staff, and is insisting it will be quick to “take action” against anyone who threatens its employees’ safety.
Passengers are being urged not to fire verbal or physical ‘abuse’ at conductors on Northern trains / Credit: Northern
“We welcome millions of customers on board our trains every year and the overwhelming majority are polite, considerate, and respectful of others,” Northern said in a statement as it pleaded with passengers to show respect to train crew.
“Unfortunately, given the numbers involved, our conductors do also encounter people who are somewhat less respectful of them and the safety critical role they have onboard.
“And that is unacceptable.”
The train operator said it “will not tolerate” hostile treatment of its staff / Credit: Northern
Back in December of last year, Northern revealed that the number of dangerous attacks on its trains was down almost 90% in the previous 12 months, with the number of recorded incidents falling from 69 to just eight.
The train operator has also said that the chance of perpetrators being caught on camera is now “much higher” than it was before too, and this comes after it added a further 600 new CCTV cameras to the more than 1,000 that monitor all its stations, and also installed 7,000 HD CCTV cameras on board the trains themselves.
An additional £1.7 million has also been invested into adding more than 1,000 extra body-worn camera kits to its train crew.
Dozens of undercover and plain-clothed police officers, as well as Northern’s own travel safety officers, also regularly patrol services across the network.
British Transport Police has access to all footage and can use it in criminal prosecutions.