The family of Cameron Brooksbank have paid a heartbreaking tribute after the final episode of the BBC’s latest The Detectives docuseries aired last night.
Cameron’s tragic story has been explored in the latest iteration of the BBC’s hugely-successful documentary series, The Detectives – which follows Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) team of detectives as they try to unravel complex organised crime cases across Greater Manchester, giving “unparalleled” and “intimate” access along the way.
The first season was praised its exceptional coverage of live police investigations.
Now, back for round two, the final episode of the three-part second season of the show – which is titled The Detectives: Taking Down an OGC – aired on BBC Two last night.
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During last night’s episode, viewers saw that, following the discovery of a new witness in the axe-attack attempted murder case, victim Cameron and detectives from the Rochdale Organised Crime Team had to, once again, face suspected members of the ADAM Organised Crime Group (OCG) in court, and as the investigation into the wider activities of the gang began building to a tense conclusion, detectives had to focus on taking down the most senior suspected gang members.
TV cameras followed a series of simultaneous raids as the police attempted to dismantle the OCG once and for all.
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Following the airing of the final episode last night, the family of Cameron Brooksbank have paid a heartbreaking tribute to the teenage victim.
A tribute from the family of Cameron Brooksbank following #TheDetectives#BBC2 documentary
"We are extremely proud of Cameron’s bravery and that his personal story will hopefully help raise some much-needed awareness around this topic."
The tribute reads: “This has been the most terrible time for our family, but we are just one, of many, that are being supported by GMP, who are constantly being destroyed by these cruel, merciless drug gangs.
“Everyone can see first-hand how these members proactively target children into drug misuse and debt to become modern-day slaves.
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“The bravery of the officers who put their lives on the line must never be taken for granted, they have been so caring and comforting. Martin, Mark, and their team have been wonderful, so we want to thank all concerned for everything they have done for our family and the wider borough. We thank them for their tenderness with Cameron, who was only 17 at the time of the attack, and the subsequent friendships that followed.”
Family of Cameron Brooksbank pay tribute after the BBC’s latest The Detectives documentary airs / Credit: GMP
The family went on to thank the series’ producers, who they said “carried [them] throughout this tragic and frightening journey”, and also thank the public for all the “kind words and praise for our special son and grandson”.
They described Cameron’s death as having “created such a huge and painful void in our lives”.
But, despite this, the family’s tribute concluded: “We are extremely proud of Cameron’s bravery and that his personal story will hopefully help raise some much-needed awareness around this topic.”
Featured Image – GMP
News
A Greater Manchester town could be set to get a train station for the first time in 60 years
Emily Sergeant
It’s been a whopping six decades, but the residents of one local town could soon be able to hop on a train out of there.
That’s because a planning application for a brand-new £32 million station in Golborne – which would connect the Greater Manchester town, in the Wigan borough, to the rail network for the first time in more than 60 years – has been submitted to Wigan Council, meaning connectivity is finally one step closer to becoming reality.
In case you didn’t know, Golborne currently has no direct bus, train, or tram services to Manchester, and Leigh is the biggest town in England without a rail station, while the wider area is the largest and most-populous area in Greater Manchester not connected to the rail network.
The milestone aims to boost access to jobs and opportunities for people in the town and the wider Wigan borough.
NEWS: Greater Manchester on track with plan for first new rail station in over 20 years. 🚉
✅ 90%+ public consultation support for Golborne station in Wigan ✅ Planning application in to @WiganCouncil ✅ Local area improvements and walking and cycling links
According to Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), the Golborne station scheme forms part of a wider ambition to bring eight commuter lines into the Bee Network by 2028 – of which “significant investment” has been put into.
The application includes plans for a new accessible two-platform rail station, including step-free access throughout with a footbridge across the tracks and lifts to both platforms, a new hourly service between Wigan and Manchester Victoria, and onwards to Stalybridge, an improved town centre car park, and also new walking and cycling links to the town centre.
The submitting of the proposals comes after nearly 3,000 people had their say on the station earlier this year, with more than 90% of respondents supporting the plans.
A CGI of what the proposed new Golborne station could look like, if plans are approved / Credit: TfGM
If the plans are approved by Wigan Council, work on the site should begin in 2026, according to TfGM, with the new station scheduled to open in 2027.
Mayor Andy Burnham called the submitting of the proposals a “transformative step” for the region.
“It has taken a huge effort to get us to this point,” he explained. “But we have finally reached a major milestone on the journey to reconnect Golborne to the rail network for the first time in over 60 years.
“The proposal is based on extremely sound evidence and huge progress has been made with a planning application being submitted and overwhelming support from local residents.”
Featured Image – TfGM
News
Police issue statement after remains of young baby found in Salford field
Daisy Jackson
Police have issued a statement after the remains of a young baby were tragically found in Salford yesterday.
Emergency services were called to the scene near Ashtons Field after a dog walker made the shocking discovery.
The baby – who is being called Baby A – has not yet been identified and police are now investigating ‘who this baby could be, how long they have been here, and how they have sadly died’.
GMP are appealing for anyone with any information to come forward so they can ‘find answers for this baby’.
Chief Superintendent Neil Blackwood held a press conference near the scene on Ravenscraig Road last night.
He said: “Tragically, today, we have found what we believe to be the remains of a young baby on Ravenscraig Road, near Ashtons Field in Little Hulton.
“We have a scene in place, and you will likely see an increased presence of officers in the local area while we carry out enquiries to understand the circumstances.
“At this stage, we are following several lines of enquiry, and we are working with local partner agencies to understand who this baby could be, how long they have been here, and how they have sadly died. We are now calling this baby, Baby A.
“All of this is extremely sensitive, and this investigation needs to be handled with the utmost care it deserves, and it is going to take time.
GMP press conference after remains of baby found in Salford
“We know that this news will devastate our communities, and while we do not have all the answers to these questions yet, I want to reassure residents that we will do all we can to find out what has happened here. The most important thing for us right now is to find answers for this baby and I would urge anyone who has any information at all to get in touch with us.
“Even the most minor detail could be crucial to our investigation. If you have seen anyone in the area over the last few days, or know who the parents could be, please call us as soon as you can.
“As soon as we are in a position to confirm further details about the circumstances, we will do so.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting log 1319 of 20/11/24. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Emily Sergeant -
2nd November 2023 
