News
Paramedic pushed off bike after anti-social mob of 150 people descended on Manchester
A massive dispersal order was introduced yesterday.
Police put Manchester under strict orders over the bank holiday weekend after a 150-strong crowd descended on the city centre.
The group were engaging in anti-social behaviour, with officers called after a paramedic was pushed off his bike in broad daylight, at around 3.45pm on Sunday. Thankfully, he was uninjured.
The group of 150 people then crossed over the tram tracks at Exchange Square, causing disruption, and entered the Arndale centre.
Here, several individuals were spraying the walls and windows in the busy shopping centre.
Extra officers were deployed to the city centre and a man was detained on suspicion of causing damage and taken into custody.
GMP implemented a massive dispersal order which ended at midnight, in a bid to curb the anti-social behaviour.
The Section 35 Dispersal Order covered a huge area including the Northern Quarter, Manchester Victoria, the Arndale, and Piccadilly Gardens.
The order allows police to exclude a person or people from an area for up to 48 hours through a written notice.
Superintendent Nicola Williams said: “On occasion, we have problems with people coming into the city centre and engaging in anti-social behaviour and the police are taking decisive action to stop this.
“Members of the public who live, visit or come into the city to work should not have to witness this behaviour or be put at risk. Today, my officers have had bottles thrown at them and this is totally unacceptable.
“The Dispersal Order means we will serve anyone who is taking part in this disturbing behaviour, notice to leave our City and they won’t be allowed to return for at least 48 hours.”
Featured image: Google Maps
News
Everyone in England can now get FREE careers advice as part of a new Government scheme
Emily Sergeant
People all across the country now have the ability to access support from dedicated career advisers completely free of charge.
That’s because, for the first time ever, the full range of support previously offered by the National Careers Service will be available through Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) under the Government, creating a more joined-up service for people at every stage of their career.
Around 500 qualified careers advisers have joined the DWP, it has been confirmed, and they will provide expert careers information, advice, and guidance alongside the existing employment and skills support that are already available through Jobcentres.
But the key is here, the free careers support will be available to everyone – regardless of whether they claim benefits.
The services are set to be accessed either online, over the phone, or through face-to-face appointments at Jobcentres, giving people a single place to access the advice they need to take their next step.
As mentioned, these new services are part of the wider reforms the Government says it is taking to ‘give everyone the opportunity to succeed’.
These reforms include £2.5 billion of youth employment support, and £3.5 billion investment in employment support for disabled people and those with long-term health conditions.
Read more:
Support can be accessed online via the Get Careers Information and Advice page HERE, as well as through the freephone service on 0800 072 0288.
Face-to-face appointments will then be available in Jobcentres later this month.
Featured Image – Vitaly Gariev (via Unsplash)
News
Beloved Manchester artist Stanley Chow slams Conservative Party for using his artwork
Daisy Jackson
Celebrated local artist Stanley Chow has lashed out at the Conservative Party.
The illustrator, who is famed for his cartoon portraits of famous faces, has discovered that the political party have been using his Andy Burnham illustration at their party conference.
Publicly addressing the usage, Stanley said he would be ‘seeking legal advice’.
He shared a photo of his Andy Burnham portrait that has been placed onto a water bottle with the slogan ‘Bottler Burnham’.
The label also says: “0% strength. Bottled under pressure from Badenoch.”
In another photo, Stanley Chow revealed that the Tory party conference has used his Andy Burnham portrait on pots of sweets, too.
This time, they say: “Andy Panders’ people pleaser pick n mix. Free sweets for everyone, it will only cost you higher taxes.”
Stanley wrote: “It seems like @conservatives have been using my artwork without my permission at their conference party…
“Regardless of whatever your political allegiances are, it’s still copyright infringement… I’ll be seeking legal advice.”
Backing him up in the comments are a number of other local artists, including Mancsy, who said: “As well as the copyright infringement, I expect more of political parties than making gags at the expense of the opposition. It’s alarming on multiple levels.”
Someone else wrote: “Imagine calling a prime minister a people pleaser like it’s an insult… when it’s their job.”
Another person said: “How does that even happen?! Layers of people signing off who go, ‘Sure, let’s not worry about copyright’ (people who’ve presumably never step foot in MCR and seen your artwork, like EVERYWHERE). Drag em, babe. Copyright and reputation, surely.”
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Featured image: The Manc Group
Daisy Jackson -
8th May 2023 
