‘Awful’ Northern Quarter premises shut down by police after hosting repeated ‘COVID parties’
The apartment, described by neighbours as an 'awful Airbnb party house', had allegedly hosted parties from Friday to Sunday until four in the morning right through lockdown.
Greater Manchester Police have swooped in to shut down a premises in Northern Quarter following a long-running series of ‘COVID parties’ that have kept residents awake throughout the night.
The apartment, described by neighbours as an ‘awful Airbnb party house’, had allegedly hosted gatherings from Friday to Sunday until four in the morning right through lockdown.
Anti-social behaviour has continued despite tighter restrictions in the Greater Manchester region, and police have now issued a closure notice – which can prohibit access to anyone except the legal owner and/or tenant.
YOU’VE BEEN SERVED! A Closure Notice has been served on a premises in the NQ that has allowed numerous COVID parties to take place, with residents and businesses having to deal with the associated ASB. Fantastic partnership working with ourselves and the Council ASBAT team. pic.twitter.com/FqkHSg5hVa
— Manchester City Centre Police (GMP) (@GMPCityCentre) August 25, 2020
GMP confirmed that the site had been shut down Tuesday (25 August) evening.
Posting on their official city centre Twitter account, police stated: “A Closure Notice has been served on a premises in the NQ that has allowed numerous COVID parties to take place, with residents and businesses having to deal with the associated ASB [anti-social behaviour].
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“Fantastic partnership working with ourselves and the Council ASBAT team.”
Mass gatherings and parties have persisted in Greater Manchester despite the ban on mass gatherings and meeting other households indoors or in gardens.
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Earlier this month, police shared footage of 200 people congregating at a property in Gorton – which was subsequently closed for three months as a result.
A fixed penalty notice was also issued to the tenant.
Huge ‘quarantine raves’ have also been organised in the likes of Daisy Nook and Carrington.
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Under new legislation, police will have the power to issue fines up to £10,000 to the organisers of any illegal parties of more than 30 people.
Those in attendance without face coverings could also be hit with penalties of £100 – doubling up to £3,200 for each repeat offence.
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Seven in 10 NHS workers think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic
Emily Sergeant
A new survey has revealed that seven in 10 NHS workers believe the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic if one should arise.
After the recent meningitis B outbreak in Kent last month raised the conversation of mass contagion once again, of course following the COVID-19 pandemic, a new YouGov survey of more than 1,000 NHS workers has now uncovered how well prepared staff in the health service think it is for another global pandemic.
The results show that 69% of staff surveyed think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic, and to make matters worse, 26% of those even say it’s ‘very poorly’ prepared.
Only one in five (22%) think the NHS is could properly handle another pandemic, but statistically, YouGov claims none of those surveyed said it’s ‘very well’ prepared.
Seven in 10 NHS workers think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic / Credit: Pxhere | Rawpixel
When workers were asked how the NHS’s level of preparedness now compares to prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 41% did concede that they think it is better prepared now than 2020, however 37% admitted they think it’s no better prepared.
16% actively think it’s less well-prepared now than it was prior to 2020.
This marked a new era of ‘transparency’ and ‘accountability’ in the NHS, with the league tables delivering on the Government’s promise to drive up standards, tackle variation in care, and ensure people get the high-quality service they rightly expect.
Every trust in England – from urgent and emergency care, through to elective operations and mental health services – will now be ranked quarterly against ‘clear and consistent’ standards.
Featured Image – Stephen Andrews (via Unsplash)
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Seven people arrested in Salford over plans to conduct coordinated mass shoplifting campaign
Emily Sergeant
Seven people have been arrested in Salford over plans to be part of a coordinated mass shoplifting campaign of ‘high end’ retailers and supermarkets across the country.
According to Greater Manchester Police (GMP), it is believed the group had been training for ‘non‑violent direct action’ in Salford as part of a coordinated mass shoplifting campaign, where they were intending to steal goods from high‑value stores and major supermarkets across the country, and then redistribute them to places such as food banks.
Working in collaboration with the Metropolitan Police Service, officers arrested one male and six females in Salford yesterday afternoon (Sunday 19 April) on suspicion of conspiracy to steal.
They all remain in police custody for questioning.
It has been reported in multiple sources, such as the BBC and the MEN, that the individuals arrested are believed to be part of the Take Back Power Action Group.
Take Back Power Action Group describes itself on its website as a ‘nonviolent civil resistance group’ that is aiming to ‘put the 99% in charge’ through citizen’s assemblies.
“We are ordinary people from all walks of life who believe that in order to fix Britain, taxing the rich is an essential first step, and we want ordinary people to decide how,” a statement on the group’s website declares.
Speaking following the arrests over the weekend, Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker said: “This joint operation with the Metropolitan Police has resulted in the arrests of seven individuals who we believe were planning to take part in coordinated national activity targeting high‑value retail stores.
“We are taking robust action to disrupt this type of organised criminality, and it will not be tolerated in Greater Manchester.
The Manc -
26th August 2020 
