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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
“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
Significant disruption in Manchester city centre as water pours down Portland Street
Daisy Jackson
A burst water main in Manchester city centre is causing ‘significant disruption’ today, with Piccadilly Gardens and Portland Street both closed.
Water can be seen pouring down Portland Street with a large crack visible in the road’s surface.
As a result of the leak, Bee Network buses are having to be rerouted and a huge number of routes are disrupted.
Piccadilly Gardens – the city’s main hub for bus connections – has been closed until repair work on the burst pipe is complete.
TfGM said: “A water leak on Portland Street is causing significant disruption in the city centre.
“Portland Street and Piccadilly Gardens will be closed until further notice while work takes to repair the pipe.
“This is affecting bus services using Portland Street and Piccadilly Gardens.”
Bus routes affected are: 15, 18, 30, 33, 38, 41, 42, 42A, 42B, 42C, 43, 50, 85, 85A, 86, 101, 103, 111, 142, 143, 191, 197, 250, 255, 256, 263, Free bus 1 and Free bus 2.
The burst water main on Portland StreetBoth Portland Street and Piccadilly Gardens are closed
A United Utilities spokesperson said: “We apologise for any inconvenience caused by a burst water main on Portland Street.
“Customer water supplies have not been affected, and our teams are on site working to isolate the damaged main and complete repairs as quickly as possible.
“We are working closely with the police, TfGM and the council to manage disruption and reopen the road as soon as possible.”
Manchester GPs can now ‘prescribe’ cost of living support to residents
Emily Sergeant
GPs are now able to offer prescription-style support with the cost of living to residents in Manchester.
It’s no secret that the cost of living crisis has, unfortunately, been continuing to make itself known across the country for the past couple of years, and despite recent Government intervention in the form of new Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s series of ‘everyday fixes’, it sadly doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon.
But now it’s been revealed that Greater Manchester residents can be ‘prescribed’ cost of living support when they visit their local GP.
For patients who patients need help with bills, debts, benefits, or affording food, GPs can now provide them with details of Manchester’s free cost of living advice line.
That means that, for anyone whose mental or physical health is being affected by financial worries, GPs can simply tear a page that contains all the details they need for the advice line from a block that looks like a prescription pad, and hand it to the patient.
Alternatively, the GP can also ‘refer’ the patient straight into the service online in a similar way to making a referral to a specialist or consultant.
Manchester GPs can now ‘prescribe’ cost of living support to residents / Credit: Towfiqu Barbhuiya | Mylo Kaye (via Unsplash)
Once a resident makes contact with the free cost of living advice line – which started back in October 2022, and has helped thousands of people since – they can receive a wide range of advice on issues like energy costs and rent, to help with getting online, and so much more.
The Council also says that recent figures show there is an increasing number of calls or requests around help with rent or benefits and support with food or foodbanks, which is why it has chosen to introduce this ‘innovate’ move.
“We don’t want anyone to feel like they are becoming lost under competing financial pressures, worries about putting food on the table, or keeping a roof over their heads,” commented Cllr Tracey Rawlins, who is the Deputy Leader at Manchester City Council.
“We really want to help before worries become a problem,” she added. “The team on the advice line keep all information in confidence and they want to help.”
Emily Sergeant -
2nd November 2023 
