A £2000 cash reward is being offered for information relating to the attacks on Clonezone in the Gay Village, after the shop was attacked for the FIFTH time.
The local business has been the victim of targeted attacks several times this year, with its windows smashed and its security equipment damaged.
GMP have described the attacks as ‘very specific’, with offenders always arriving to the Gay Village business on bikes and attacking the same shop in the same way.
Crimestoppers is now offering a reward if anyone can provide information that leads to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved.
One arrest has already been made but the attacks on Clonezone have continued, with five in the last four months
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The latest occurred in broad daylight – at around 2pm on Sunday 10 September – and caused £3,500 worth of damage.
Two men approached the shop on Sackville Street on a bike and attempted to smash the windows, which are now protected by iron bars. They then threw an object at the doors and at the security equipment.
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CCTV has been released of the latest shocking vandalism as GMP appeals for the public’s help in locating the bike used.
The latest attack on Clonezone in Manchester’s Gay Village. Credit: GMP
Chief Inspector Steve Wiggins of GMP’s City Centre Neighbourhood Team, said: “So far, we have arrested a person but we know that there is someone out there who knows where this bike is and who it belongs to and we are urging them to reach out to us.
“We appreciate that the images in the CCTV image are not of the best quality, but we are releasing them in the hope that someone was able to witness this attack and can come forwards with information.
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“The attacks are very specific, with all five attacks showcasing the same style of offending to one specific shop, with offenders arriving on bikes and causing significant damage. We are keen to find out the motivations behind the attacks which will assist us with tracing those responsible and bringing them to justice.
“This is the fifth attack on this business in the last four months and this cannot continue. We are doing everything in our power to investigate the incidents whilst protecting the business.
“We have a dedicated specialist unit investigation in addition to patrols being conducted by neighbourhood officers, and we hope this goes someway to reassure the local community that we are committed to protecting the public.
“The neighbourhood officers who are out and about are approachable so please come and speak to us if you have any concerns or information that may help us.
“Community intelligence is crucial for us to focus these patrols in the right areas at the right times to catch individuals involved in crime so please report anything which appears suspicious and out of the ordinary to police.
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“Crimestoppers is offering a £2,000 reward for information given to them directly that that leads to the arrest and conviction of any involved. This information can be passed anonymously through the Crimestoppers independent charity on 0800 555 111.
“Information regarding the bike or if you can identify the men in the image information can also be passed by calling officers on 0161 856 3345 or via 101.”
‘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.”
Daisy Jackson -
12th September 2023 
