An illegal ‘car meet’ took place in Denton yesterday afternoon causing congestion and prolonged delays on roads in the surrounding areas and the M60.
The town was said to be ‘gridlocked’ by locals and eyewitnesses.
Hundreds of people were reported to have met up on an industrial estate on Windmill Lane, Denton – which is located just off the motorway – and footage from the event, shared widely on social platforms and in media outlets, showed large rows of cars queuing and lined up near the industrial estate.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police confirmed in a statement on the GMP Tameside North and East Facebook page yesterday afternoon that: “Officers are currently dealing with an incident at Tameside Business Centre, Windmill Lane in Denton where there is an increased activity in vehicular traffic.”
“Can we please ask that you avoid this and the surrounding area.”
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“Sadly this is putting a massive strain on our services at this time and causing a back log of traffic, however we hope we can quickly have things resolved with your help.”
North West Motorway Police also confirmed on Twitter in relation to the event that reports were received of drivers speeding up and down the hard-shoulder of the M60 and that drivers should “take care”.
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Traffic was then later stated to be at “a complete standstill” in a follow-up tweet.
M60 j24 both anticlockwise and clockwise we have heavy congestion – this is due to an apparent car meet off the motorway network, it is however impacting around M60 , M67, M66 – we are getting numerous re vehicles using the hard shoulder at speed, please take care
— North West Motorway Police (@NWmwaypolice) July 19, 2020
we now have standing traffic back up to j25 on the anticlockwise m60 – the roundabout at j24 is at a complete standstill. clockwise carriageway not as bad. if you can find a different way to go to your destination rather than come off at j24 it will save you time.
— North West Motorway Police (@NWmwaypolice) July 19, 2020
A police helicopter was also needed as emergency services became concerned with the large meet.
It was also widely noted by many that several members of the public were appearing to not conform to necessary social distancing regulations, nor did they wear a face covering among crowds.
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Residents have stated ‘hundreds’ of cars and over ‘1000’ people have descended upon the area to participate in and observe what is described as an ‘illegal car rally’.
— Tameside Correspondent (@TamesideCorr) July 19, 2020
Speaking to the MEN, a Denton resident stated that: “They have come from all over the UK as far as London [and] the whole of Denton is gridlocked.”
“It sounds like bonfire night with the cars popping.”
Another eyewitness, who works at Tameside Business Centre and was ‘trapped’ inside, added: “I got in at 7am, I saw there was a banner for a big event. It seems to have been a well organised event. This is a secure site, you’re not allowed to have events like this. You can hear the cars revving. Wheels are spinning. They are doing wheelies on motorbikes.”
“I’m glad I’m inside.”
“There are young kids without their parents. I can’t go until they go, I could be here until 10pm. It might get worse, you don’t know do you?”
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“I don’t want my car being rammed by people wheel spinning.”
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The event was also publicly condemned on Twitter by Andrew Gwynne, Labour MP for Denton and Reddish, and branded as “completely irresponsible”.
Completely irresponsible and I’m informed the Police are on it. In fact as I type, the Police helicopter is overhead. https://t.co/VC8hsIhIRf
North West Motorway Police confirmed that traffic had begun easing off and clearing up just before 6pm.
Posts shared on social media platform Snapchat/SnapMaps also appeared to show a car that had been damaged in a potential minor collision and visible skid marks on the roads nearby to the industrial estate in the aftermath of the meet.
There has been no official follow-up statement on the event by Greater Manchester Police as of today.
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Heaton Park announces death of its two donkeys following ‘complex’ health and age-related issues
Emily Sergeant
Heaton Park has made the devastating announcement that two more of its beloved donkeys have sadly passed away.
“It is with great sadness that today we announce the passing of Bonnie and Josh, our beloved donkeys, following advice of a vet and The Donkey Sanctuary who visited our Animal Centre,” Heaton Park & Hall announced on its official social platforms at the end of last week.
The death of Bonnie and Josh comes after two of the park’s other donkeys, Ralph and Lenny, also sadly passed away in June and October of last year, respectively.
Both donkeys were born at Heaton Park, and had been steady companions for each other over the last three decades.
Heaton Park announces death of its two donkeys following ‘complex’ health and age-related issues / Credit: Heaton Park & Hall
Josh managed to reach 29, and Bonnie an incredible 33 years of age before passing, and considering that The Donkey Sanctuary says the average life expectancy for a donkey is just over 30, reaching this age was said to be a ‘significant achievement’ for all who cared for Bonnie and Josh.
However in their later years though, both Bonnie and Josh were living with ‘complex’ health and age-related issues.
Ultimately, these complications were what led to them passing away last week.
“They were such kind and gentle souls, and this loss will be felt deeply by all staff, past and present, alongside our visitors,” Heaton Park’s statement continued.
Heaton Park staff closed out their statement thanking everyone who has ever visited the donkeys over the past couple of decades, and particularly the Donkey Welfare Advisers at The Donkey Sanctuary who have supported them and their donkey herd, especially in recent years.
40 people arrested as part of ‘week of action’ to close down active drug lines across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
40 people arrested as part of ‘week of action’ organised last week by police to close down active drug lines across Greater Manchester.
Various policing activities took place alongside partners across all districts and boroughs as part of County Lines Intensification Week – which ran from Monday 2 – Sunday 8 March 2026 – with Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirming that officers conducted a total of 30 warrants.
Warrants resulted in 40 arrests across Greater Manchester, with 20 active drugs lines closed down, as well as more than £34,000in cash and a substantial amount of class A and class B drugs seized.
Drugs seized included heroin, amphetamines, cocaine, and cannabis.
Mobile phones, weapons – including stun guns, zombie knives, crossbows, and an axe– were also confiscated, and to top it off, electric bikes, designer goods,and high-value electronic deviceswere also recovered during the process too.
40 people arrested as part of a ‘week of action’ to close down active drug lines across Greater Manchester / Credit: GMP
Some of the arrests made include six men, aged between 20 and 42, on suspicion of production of cannabis and abstracting electricity, and three men and one woman were arrested on suspicion of various drug-related offences.
County Lines Intensification Week ran as part of a national coordinated action targeting county lines offenders, removing dangerous drugs and weapons from our streets, and safeguarding vulnerable adults and children, GMP explained.
If you’re unfamiliar, County Lines is the use of dedicated phone lines to deal drugs from one location to another, and it is known for often exploiting children and vulnerable adults who are groomed and coerced into moving, storing, and selling drugs.
County Lines teams use the ‘four Ps’ as a strategy to tackle organised criminals trafficking drugs and safeguard vulnerable people – Prevent, Protect, Prepare, and Pursue.
More than £34,000 in cash was also seized by police / Credit: GMP
Speaking following the week of action, Detective Inspector John Schofield, from GMP’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit. said: “We have had a very busy and successful County Lines Intensification Week, with various lines disrupted thanks to the warrants we have executed.
“Intelligence gathered from the community played a vital role in us being able to conduct this activity, which saw 30 warrants, resulting in 40arrests and 20 drug lines closed down across Greater Manchester.
“This week’s action is a powerful example of our commitment to dismantle organised crime in our region.
Deputy Mayor of Safer and Stronger Communities, Kate Green, added: “County lines activity brings significant harm to our communities. It fuels the supply of dangerous drugs while exploiting children and vulnerable adults who are often groomed, coerced and threatened into criminal activity.
“That is why tackling this type of organised crime is a key priority for partners across Greater Manchester.”
The Manc -
20th July 2020 
