News

Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street

It's believed he had a cardiac arrest after a robbery.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 21st February 2025

An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.

Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.

Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.

Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.

Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.

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He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.

Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.

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“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.

“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”

If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.

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Featured image: Google Maps

News

19-year-old arrested after hitting and killing two women with car on rural Bolton road

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Scout Rd / Smithills Dean Rd in Bolton

Police are appealing after two women sadly lost their lives in a double fatal road traffic collision in Bolton yesterday morning.

At around 7:42am yesterday morning (Monday 22 December 2025), Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called to reports of a collision at the junctions of Scout Road, Smithills Dean Road, Colliers Row Road, and Coal Pit Road, all in a semi-rural area of Bolton.

The driver of a VW Polo was travelling down Scout Road and collided with two pedestrians who were walking down Smithills Dean Road.

Both pedestrians, two women aged 57 and 59, suffered fatal injuries and sadly died at the scene.

The driver of the car, a 19-year-old man, has been arrested on suspicion of causing two deaths by dangerous driving, and investigations are now ongoing into this incident.

Officers from GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) are now appealing to the public to help with their investigations, and are asking for anyone with any information, or who may have been in the area at the time the incident occurred, to please come forward.

This also includes anyone who witnessed the incident or have dashcam footage of it.

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Can you help? You can contact the SCIU directly on 0161 856 4741, or on the Live Chat service at gmp.police.uk, quoting log 507 of 22/12/2025.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Featured Image – Google Maps

News

Greater Manchester’s Christmas crime rate named one of the highest in the UK

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

New research has revealed the UK regions that should expect to see a spike in crime over the festive season this year… and it’s pretty grim reading for Mancs.

That’s because Greater Manchester has been identified as a so-called Christmas crime ‘hotspot’.

For several years running now, our region has unfortunately found itself near the top of the list when it comes to seeing the highest rates of crime over the Christmas holidays, and according to a recent study conducted by ADT, 2025 is unfortunately no different.

With what’s supposed to be ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ only a few days away now, home security experts have decided to analyse crime rates from December 2020-2022, and have highlighted the percentage difference in crime during the festive period in a bid to reveal where ‘Christmas crime’ is most prevalent.

Cleveland Police still has the highest reported crime rate, according to the study, with approximately 147.7 recorded crimes per 1,000 population, and more than 5,000 police reports of burglaries in early 2024 – with ONS data revealing 79% of which were residential burglaries.

Greater Manchester’s Christmas crime rate has been named one of the highest in the UK / Credit: Wikimedia Commons | Aurelio Arantes (via Unsplash)

West Yorkshire Police also stays in second place, with crimes in the county having risen by 20%, going from a crime rate of 111.61 in December 2021, to 133.8 crimes per 1,000 population by March 2024.

And then, we have Greater Manchester.

Once again, Greater Manchester Police ranks third for the areas with the highest crime rates in England and Wales, with 129.7 crimes per 1,000 population. 

ADT’s research this year found that theft offences accounted for almost a third of all crimes committed in our region, while residential burglaries and shoplifting had over 16,000 reported accounts, respectively.  

Top 10 Christmas crime ‘hotspots’ in the UK for 2025

RankPolice force areaCrime rate per 1,000 population
1Cleveland Police147.7
2West Yorkshire Police133.8
3Greater Manchester Police129.7
4West Midlands Police125.9
5Merseyside Police119.0
6South Yorkshire Police116.7
7Humberside Police108.1
8Durham Police101.8
9Gwent Police101.8
10Metropolitan Police100.2

Home security expert Michele Bennett, who is ADT UK’s General Manager, has shared some tips on how best to deter uninvited guests from your home during the Christmas period, and says it’s ‘important to remain vigilant’ at this time of year by enhancing your home security.

“This will ensure you and your loved ones have a safe and enjoyable holiday experience,” she explains.

“Several proactive measures can be taken to deter intruders throughout the holidays, including installing visible security measures such as smart alarm systems or burglar alarms, with visible cameras and alarms display signs that indicate your home is highly protected.

“Also, secure your doors, windows, and other potential entry points with strong locks and deadbolts… and indoor and outdoor lighting is a good option to maintain a lived-in appearance by using smart plugs connected to lights, motion-sensing cameras, and video doorbells in and around entrances and other key areas of your home to make it less attractive to burglars.”

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“The combination of these measures can drastically improve your home’s security,” Michelle concluded.

“As the appearance of an active and protected home is crucial to deterring potential intruders during Christmas and throughout the year.”

Featured Image – ADT

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