News

Eight GMP officers suspended following reports of ‘racial discrimination’

All of the officers were working at the Bury district.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 30th July 2024

Eight police officers have been suspended amid internal investigations following reports made of “racial discrimination”.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has confirmed that seven of the suspended officers are from the Bury district, and one is from the Rochdale district but was working in Bury at the time of the allegations and reports made.

Another police officer has also had their duties ‘restricted’ too, alongside GMP’s suspensions made yesterday (Monday 29 July).

Not only that, but these eight suspensions and one restriction also follows the force suspending five officers and placing two officers on restricted duties, again all from the Bury district, earlier this month (17 July).

Because of these suspensions, GMP says it has temporarily relocated officers to Bury to cover operational duties.

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The temporary officers will primarily work to “minimise disruption” within the district.

In light of the suspensions, GMP says it has made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in relation to both of these cases – with the independent body currently investigating the first report, but having reviewed the second incident, has now referred it back to GMP to internally investigate.

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Detective Chief Superintendent Mike Allen, who is the Head of GMP’s Professional Standards Directorate, said the reports the force has received are “deeply concerning”.

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“I hope to reassure the community of Bury, the wider public, and the GMP workforce that a full and thorough investigation is being conducted into these matters,” DCS Allen concluded.

Featured Image – GMP (via Facebook)

News

Police appeal to find next of kin after man found outside Palace Theatre

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Police appeal to find next of kin after man found outside Palace Theatre

Police are trying to track down the family of a man who died after being found unresponsive outside the Palace Theatre in Manchester.

The man, who has now been named as Jonathan Bernard Carroll, was seen outside the city centre theatre at around 6.30am on Tuesday 12 November.

Emergency services rushed to the scene and Mr Carroll was taken to hospital.

Tragically, the 47-year-old passed away a short time later.

A large cordon was in place on Whitworth Street and Oxford Road while police and security attended the incident.

Greater Manchester Police are now appealing to find his next of kin.

It’s believed that he resided in the Salford area of Greater Manchester.

Anyone with any information should contact the Coroner’s Office on 0161 856 1376.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

News

Greater Manchester public urged to help get people ‘off the streets and on their feet’ before Christmas

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Locals are being urged to help get hundreds of people “off the streets and back on their feet” this festive season.

As the temperatures told colder by the day, and Christmas creeps closer and closer, Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity is bringing back ‘1000 Beds for Christmas’, and the massively-important initiative is aiming to provide 1,000 nights of accommodation to people at risk of homelessness before the big day arrives.

Forming part of the ongoing ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, this festive fundraising mission is designed to provide food, shelter, warmth, and dedicated vital wrap-around support for those who need it most.

The charity says it wants to build on the “incredible success of 2023”, which raised more than £55,000 and provided 1,800 nights of accommodation.

Stockport-based property finance specialists, Together – which has supported the campaign for the last two years – has, once again, generously pledged to match every public donation for the first £20,000 raised.  

Unfamiliar with the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme? Since 2017, when rough sleeping peaked, the initiative has helped ensure a significantly-higher rate of reduction in the numbers of people facing a night on streets in Greater Manchester than seen nationally.

The landmark scheme has given people the chance to rebuild their lives, while also giving them access to key services and opportunities that allows them to stay off the streets for good.

Despite the scheme’s recent success, organisations across Greater Manchester are under “a huge amount of pressure” to meet the demand for their services this winter, and given the current economic outlook, household budgets will continue to be squeezed – leaving people on the sharp end of inequality and poverty.

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“Help us be a lifeline to organisations on the frontline,” Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity urged in it’s public appeal for donations.

You can help make sure ‘A Bed Every Night’ is a reality for all by donating here.

Featured Image – EthelRedThePetrolHead (via Flickr)

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