Detectives who are investigating the currently ‘unexplained’ death of a Salford man have urgently appealed for information.
The public appeal comes after officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) was called to reports of concern for welfare of a man at Riverside in Salford, near to the River Irwell, last Sunday (9 March) – but sadly, once emergency services arrived on the scene, the man in his 40s was pronounced dead, despite the best efforts of all involved.
Police have now officially named the man as Richard Crawt.
At this time, GMP says his passing is ‘still being treated as unexplained’, and enquiries are currently ongoing to establish the circumstances of his death.
Withe the investigation actively ongoing, GMP is now seeking help from the Greater Manchester public to identify a timeline of Richard’s movements prior to his death.
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#APPEAL | Richard Crawt was sadly pronounced dead at Riverside on Sunday 9 March 2025.
We want to identify a timeline of his movements to understand where & when he was prior to being found deceased.
They want to understand where and when he was, prior to being found deceased.
It’s believed that Richard was using a blue tent – a picture of which has been released by GMP – and it’s believed that this tent had been pitched on a sandy beach area near the meadows in Salford on Saturday 1 March.
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Richard, who was ‘known and loved’ by many, was described by his distraught family as having ‘a heart of gold’, but had sadly just ‘fallen on some hard times in life’.
Appealing to the public for information, Detective Inspector Justin Bryant, from GMP’s Salford district, said: “Our investigation team has been working tirelessly to piece together a timeline of events leading up to this tragic discovery. We have been trawling CCTV footage, speaking with residents in the area to try and understand how and why Richard came to be in this location.
The image released by GMP of the blue tent Richard was using / Credit: GMP
“At this stage of our investigation, we are still working to establish Richard’s final movements and the circumstances that led him to the river [so] we need your help.
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“If you were in the vicinity of the River Irwell in Salford around the Lower Broughton area and in particular the Meadows, or if you had any interaction with Richard in the days before his death, please speak with us, no matter how insignificant it may seem to you.
“Richard’s family deserves answers during this incredibly difficult time.”
Anyone with any information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact GMP on 0161 856 4585 or 101, quoting log number 2221 of 09/03/2025, or you can report anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GMP
News
BBC releases first look of new drama series based on inspirational journey of England men’s football team
Emily Sergeant
First look images of a new BBC drama series based on award-winning play Dear England have been released.
The four-part series based on James Graham’s Olivier-award winning play of the same name tells the story of Gareth Southgate and the England men’s football team journey to renewed success, and it’s set to air on BBC One and iPlayer next year.
Dear England is a fictionalised account of the struggles and successes of England’s football teams, based on extensive research and interviews.
The stage play premiered at the National Theatre to five-star reviews, winning an Olivier award for ‘Best New Play’, and enjoying a sell-out run in 2023 before it returned to the National Theatre earlier this year and then embarked on a national tour.
The first look images of new BBC series Dear England have been released / Credit: BBC
With the worst team track record for penalties in the world when he takes over as manager, Gareth knows he needs to open his mind and face up to the years of hurt to take England back to the promised land.
The country that gave the world football has delivered a painful pattern of loss. Why can’t the England team win at their own game?
Joseph Fiennes will reprise his Olivier award-nominated role as Gareth Southgate in the new series.
Joseph Fiennes will star as former manager Gareth Southgate / Credit: BBC
The first look pictures see Fiennes in his role for the first time in scenes depicting England’s triumphant Euro 2024 Semi-Final celebrations, where the men’s team reached their first final of a major tournament on foreign soil.
Fiennes is joined by Jodie Whittaker as England men’s team psychologist Pippa Grange, and Daniel Ryan as Steve Holland the former assistant manager, whilst Will Antenbring stars as Harry Kane, joined by an ensemble cast of upcoming actors as the rest of the team.
Among the squad cast is Adam Hugill, Josh Barrow, and screen newcomer Lewis Shepherd, who are all reprising their respective stage roles as Harry Maguire, Jordan Pickford, and Dele Alli.
Dear England will air on BBC One and iPlayer in the new year, with exact air dates set to be announced in due course.
Featured Image – BBC
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World’s rarest lions arrive at Chester Zoo as part of global breeding programme
Emily Sergeant
Two of the world’s rarest lions have arrived at Chester Zoo as part of efforts to protect the highly endangered animals from extinction.
The pair, a male named Nilay, who has travelled from Köln Zoo in Germany, and a female named Shanti, who has arrived from London Zoo, are Asiatic lions who have been carefully matched with each other following what has been described as a ‘detailed genetic analysis’ as part of an international conservation breeding programme.
Conservationists say the pair have ‘formed an instant connection’, and are hopeful that they’ll go on to have cubs in the future.
Chester Zoo has been identified as a ‘key player’ in helping to safeguard the long-term survival of Asiatic lions – a breed of which there are thought to be fewer than 900 of in the wild.
The world’s rarest lions have arrived at Chester Zoo as part of a global breeding programme / Credit: Chester Zoo
Carnivore experts at the zoo have released the first images of the iconic cats exploring their expansive new home, which has been specially designed to recreate the dry forests and scrublands of India’s Gir Forest – the only place on Earth where Asiatic lions still exist in the wild.
Asiatic lions are classified as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which only reinforces the need for urgent conservation intervention.
Experts warn that, without effective conservation, the big cats could follow in the footsteps of the Barbary and Persian lions – that once roamed North Africa and the Middle East – and vanish from the wild all together.
“The arrival of Nilay and Shanti marks an exciting new chapter in our conservation efforts to protect one of the world’s most extraordinary and endangered animals,” explained Dave Hall, who is the Team Manager of Carnivores at Chester Zoo.
“Now that they’ve had time to settle in, we’ve successfully introduced the pair to one another in a special behind-the-scenes area, and the early signs are incredibly positive.
“We’re hopeful that as their bond grows stronger, we may one day have a pride again here at Chester, which would be another truly special milestone for the safety-net population of Asiatic lions.”
Emily Sergeant -
17th March 2025 
