Several rain alerts and flood warnings have been issued across the UK this week as Storm Christoph approaches.
The Met Office has issued an amber warning for heavy rain and flooding in parts of Yorkshire and the Humber, the North West – including Greater Manchester – East Midlands, and the east of England, with other areas including Leeds, Sheffield, Wakefield, Lincoln, Nottingham, Leicester and Peterborough also set to experience torrential down pours.
According to the Met Office – which continuously updates its weather warnings online – “heavy rainfall combined with some snowmelt across the hills is likely to lead to flooding.”
The amber alert continues continues: “Rain developing during Monday persists into Wednesday and Thursday… [and] rain will be heaviest and most persistent across western facing hills”, also adding that: “Strong winds will accompany the rain at times and may add to travelling difficulties across higher and more exposed routes.”
Up to 70mm of rain is forecast to fall within 48 hours in some of the worst-hit areas.
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The Environment Agency has issued 11 severe flood warnings in place, as well as 67 flood alerts.
The Met Office defines the amber weather warning as:
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Homes and businesses are likely to be flooded, causing damage to some buildings.
Fast flowing or deep floodwater is likely, causing danger to life.
Delays and some cancellations to train and bus services are likely.
Spray and flooding probably leading to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.
A good chance some communities cut off by flooded roads.
Power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses likely.
Speaking ahead of the arrival of Storm Christoph this week, Dan Suri – Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office – said: “Following a cold spell where the main hazard was snow, our focus now turns to notably heavy rain moving across the UK this week.
“Some locations could see over 100mm of rain falling through the course just a couple of days with up to 200mm possible over higher ground.
“These amounts of rainfall along with snow melt present a real threat of flooding and people should keep a close eye on flood warnings from the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales.”
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There are a number of flood warnings in place across England, with heavy rainfall expected in the next few days.
By knowing what to do in a #flood, you can reduce the impacts to your home, family and possessions.
The amber alert for Greater Manchester is currently in place for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week, starting from 6am today (19th January) until 12pm on Thursday (21st January).
Separate yellow warnings also cover Northern Ireland, Wales, southern Scotland and the rest of England.
You can find further details regarding the flood warnings issued across the region on the gov.uk website, and more information can also be found via the Met Office.
News
‘Groundbreaking’ new police team launches on Bee Network to make it one of the safest in the world
Emily Sergeant
A ‘groundbreaking’ new policing model aimed at making the Bee Network one of the safest public transport networks in the world has launched.
Described as being ‘pioneering’, the first-of-its-kind approach – named the Transport Policing and Crime Command (TPACC) – will bring Greater Manchester Police (GMP), Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) even closer together to tackle crime, antisocial behaviour, and safety issues across the region’s transport network.
So, how will it work then? Well, according to TfGM, the command will ‘effectively establish’ the Bee Network as GMP’s eleventh policing district.
It will bring together up to 300 personnel, including new police officers, who are all involved in keeping the network safe and providing greater reassurance to passengers travelling across the region.
Efforts to keep passengers safe on buses, trams, active travel routes, and roads across Greater Manchester will be ‘strengthened’ through the new team – improving co-ordination in response to incidents, and helping to reassure communities.
A ‘groundbreaking’ new police team has launched on the Bee Network to make it one of the safest in the world / Credit: TfGM
The new team will also incorporate the existing Roads Policing Unit within GMP that includes specialist functions such as the Central Ticket Office, the Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit, the motorbike unit, the Commercial Vehicle Unit, the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, and more.
Overall, the key focus of TPACC is to:
Increase public confidence on safety across the transport network
Reduce violence, antisocial behaviour and criminality across the transport network
Increase the number of users of the Bee Network across Greater Manchester
The launch of TPACC is said to represents ‘the next phase’ of Greater Manchester’s commitment to creating a ‘safer, more secure, and more welcoming’ transport network for everyone who lives, works, and travels across the region.
“I want a world-class Bee Network where everyone feels safe,” commented Greater Manchester Mayor, Bev Craig.
“Our new dedicated transport policing command will bring together more than 300 police and safety officers, with high-profile patrols across our roads and the Bee Network. It means a stronger presence in our communities and faster action when people need help.
“TPACC will also crack down on dangerous driving to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads, which have devastating consequences for families and communities.”
Featured Image – TfGM
News
Two arrested after assaulting and burgling 90-year-old woman in Stockport suburb
Emily Sergeant
Two people have been arrested following reports of an assault and burglary at a 90-year-old woman’s home in a Stockport suburb.
While en-route to the incident in Heald Green – which was reported to Greater Manchester Police (GMP) at around 2:30am on 29 October – officers located the victim’s vehicle being driven by an unknown man.
The stolen vehicle made off from police before it lost control, went up a grass verge, and collided with a stationary vehicle.
Police confirmed that a white British man, aged 41, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of a burglary and serious assault, while a white British woman, aged 47, was also later arrested on suspicion of burglary and serious assault – with both remaining in custody for questioning.
The victim, a 90-year-old woman, was taken to hospital for treatment and is being supported by specialist officers, although luckily, her injuries are not life-threatening.
Enquiries are now ongoing, and officers are working to establish the full circumstances of the shocking incident.
“This was undoubtedly a traumatic experience for the victim, and we have specialist officers supporting her through this investigation,” explained Detective Inspector Craig Turner, from Stockport CID.
“This was a violent burglary and thanks to the brave victim reporting it, our officers made two swift arrests with the suspects taken into police custody to be interviewed.
“We believe this was a targeted attack and there is no wider risk to the community. Extra patrols of officers have been deployed to the area to offer reassurance to members of the community. Please let them know if you have any concerns.
“We are committed to tackling dangerous offenders and keeping our communities safe from harm.”
The Manc -
19th January 2021 
