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.”
Officers are currently dealing with an incident at Tameside Business Centre, Windmill Lane in Denton where there is an…
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.
News
Manchester United star Antony accused of domestic violence by ex-girlfriend
Danny Jones
Manchester United winger Antony dos Santos has been accused of domestic violence by his ex-girlfriend in Brazil.
The 23-year-old has been hit with multiple allegations of assault, bodily injury and threatening behaviour by Antony, including one incident which is reported to have required surgery.
As per ESPN Brasil, a police report was filed against the United star by his ex-partner Gabriela Cavallin on Monday, which listed a total of four different incidents beginning in July 2022.
The DJ and influencer alleged that the first instance of abuse happened after the pair broke up at a party, with Antony apparently pulling her by the arm and by her hair before pushing her into a car. Cavallin was also estimated to be about 17 weeks pregnant at the time, though this wasn’t cited in the incident report.
ESPN Brasil:
Timeline of the reported aggressions from Antony towards his former girlfriend:
July 2022: Antony pulled her out of a party, grabbing her arm and hair. He then pushed her into his car. She was 17 weeks pregnant at the time.
As the report goes on to detail, Cavallin sadly lost the child and while she does not attribute the miscarriage to the domestic violence, she claims that Antony continued to abuse her physically and emotionally up until as recently as May this year, having got back together with him for a time.
Other instances of abuse are said to include Cavallin being attacked in her own apartment in January (citing “reasons of jealousy”), which reportedly caused the displacement of her silicone implants and required surgery, as well as two more attacks — one of which was apparently witnessed by a friend and Antony’s mother.
The 22-year-old also mentioned that she was left with a cut on her finger by a glass broken by Antony — photos of the scar being attached to the police report — adding that he assaulted her again later that day and broke her phone “so she would not call for help”. She claims she only managed to leave five hours later after the Brazilian international’s physiotherapist took her to the doctor.
While an initial report by globo.com suggested that the fourth and final alleged attack took place on 20 May when Antony had already travelled with his club teammates for their game against Bournemouth, it has since been clarified that the abuse and threatening behaviour took place over the phone.
Manchester United winger Antony has been accused of assault by his ex-partner Gabriela Cavallin with a police report being filed against the Brazilian.
She alleges that Antony assaulted her on May 20th. The report is said to include photographs of abrasions and threatening… pic.twitter.com/ShAzuhwOHm
Cavallin claims Antony threatened her during a call on 20 May, warning that “if he saw her with someone, he would kill her”; she also noted several instances when the player had threatened to “kill himself” after they fought in the past.
She claims the two haven’t spoken since 28 May.
Brazilian police are now said to be investigating Cavallin’s claims after she presented photographs of multiple injuries supposedly sustained by the footballer and also requested “urgent protective measures” against him. There is no indication whether British authorities are currently involved.
The details of the case are yet to be fully verified and neither the player nor his club have issued a statement at this time.
Police confirm body of man, 31, who disappeared after leaving Stockport pub has been found
Emily Sergeant
The body of a man who vanished after leaving a pub in Stockport on Sunday night has now been found, it has been confirmed.
31-year-old Christopher Barlow was reported to Greater Manchester Police (GMP) as missing after he was last been seen leaving the Royal Oak pub in the Mellor area of Stockport at 1:17am on Sunday 4 June.
He was seen turning left onto Brabyns Brow from Town Street, but there were no further sightings of him after that.
Police said they were becoming “increasingly concerned” about Christopher’s whereabouts.
But now, after officers and specialist teams searched a specific area in Marple, GMP confirmed last night that a body had been found.
Greater Manchester Police can confirm that sadly a body has been found after officers and specialist teams searched a specific area in Marple, Stockport in relation to Christopher Barlow being reported missing.https://t.co/JD44kXP0AVpic.twitter.com/safIQ1CUmy
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) June 6, 2023
Sadly, police have confirmed this to be Christopher’s body.
GMP confirmed that Christopher’s family have been informed following the recovery of the body, and a report is now being prepared for the Coroner’s Office.
In a statement addressing and confirming the devastating news last night, Detective Superintendent Helen Critchley, of GMP’s Stockport district, said: “Firstly, our thoughts are with Chris’s family and friends at this very distressing time.