More than 80 fines have been issued after Greater Manchester Police officers were called to a number of reports of COVID-19 regulation breaches over the weekend.
Included in the breaches was a large gathering of more than 100 people – reported just before 10pm on Saturday night – where officers were informed that 10 people were in the yard of an industrial unit on Mary Street in Manchester city centre before arriving at the scene.
Upon arrival, they found a large number of people inside the unit after officers opened numerous locked doors.
It has been confirmed that a total of 17 people were handed fixed penalty notices at the gathering and officers are working alongside partners in licensing to close the premises.
Hours later though – just after 1am on Sunday – officers were also called to a report of a party on Butterton Drive in Manchester, where a number of people had sprawled out onto the street on police arrival, requiring the attendance of further patrols.
ADVERTISEMENT
An officer was also allegedly bitten on the arm whilst trying to break up the party, and one person has been charged with assaulting an emergency worker.
Greater Manchester Police also confirmed officers attended several other gatherings across the region – with breaches reported in Manchester city centre and Stockport over the weekend – which resulted in a number of fines being issued.
ADVERTISEMENT
Over 80 fines have been issued after officers were called to a number of reports of Covid-19 regulation breaches across this weekend. Officers discovered a large gathering with over 100 people in attendance just before 10pm last night. More here: https://t.co/ibfPnwadPDpic.twitter.com/h6pRz2b2BN
Speaking on the COVID breaches of this past weekend, Nick Bailey – Assistant Chief Constable of the Greater Manchester Police – said: “These parties are a blatant disregard of the rules and pose a significant health risk to all those involved and the rest of the communities in Greater Manchester.
“The world is currently facing a public health crisis and breaking such regulations is simply against the law and selfish. Though the lockdown has a huge effect on the people of Greater Manchester’s lives – the restrictions are there to save lives.
“We have no alternative but to issue fines for blatant disregard of the rules.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Large gatherings pose a monumental risk to people’s lives and I hope this serves as a reminder to those considering to flout the rules. We will take action. But I would also remind the public who choose to so obviously breach these rules, this is adding to the pressure on policing when we would much rather be responding to other calls from the public.
“This is a challenging time for everyone but we all need to make sure we work together to reduce the risk posed by the spread of COVID-19.”
___
For the latest information, guidance and support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the UK, please do refer to official sources at gov.uk/coronavirus.
#HandsFaceSpace
News
Police appeal to find next of kin after man found outside Palace Theatre
Daisy Jackson
Police are trying to track down the family of a man who died after being found unresponsive outside the Palace Theatre in Manchester.
The man, who has now been named as Jonathan Bernard Carroll, was seen outside the city centre theatre at around 6.30am on Tuesday 12 November.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and Mr Carroll was taken to hospital.
Tragically, the 47-year-old passed away a short time later.
A large cordon was in place on Whitworth Street and Oxford Road while police and security attended the incident.
Greater Manchester Police are now appealing to find his next of kin.
It’s believed that he resided in the Salford area of Greater Manchester.
Anyone with any information should contact the Coroner’s Office on 0161 856 1376.
Greater Manchester public urged to help get people ‘off the streets and on their feet’ before Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Locals are being urged to help get hundreds of people “off the streets and back on their feet” this festive season.
As the temperatures told colder by the day, and Christmas creeps closer and closer, Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity is bringing back ‘1000 Beds for Christmas’, and the massively-important initiative is aiming to provide 1,000 nights of accommodation to people at risk of homelessness before the big day arrives.
Forming part of the ongoing ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, this festive fundraising mission is designed to provide food, shelter, warmth, and dedicated vital wrap-around support for those who need it most.
The charity says it wants to build on the “incredible success of 2023”, which raised more than £55,000 and provided 1,800 nights of accommodation.
Stockport-based property finance specialists, Together – which has supported the campaign for the last two years – has, once again, generously pledged to match every public donation for the first £20,000 raised.
Unfamiliar with the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme? Since 2017, when rough sleeping peaked, the initiative has helped ensure a significantly-higher rate of reduction in the numbers of people facing a night on streets in Greater Manchester than seen nationally.
The landmark scheme has given people the chance to rebuild their lives, while also giving them access to key services and opportunities that allows them to stay off the streets for good.
Despite the scheme’s recent success, organisations across Greater Manchester are under “a huge amount of pressure” to meet the demand for their services this winter, and given the current economic outlook, household budgets will continue to be squeezed – leaving people on the sharp end of inequality and poverty.
The Manc -
23rd November 2020 
