The streets of Greater Manchester are set to see an increased police presence over the coming weeks of this festive season.
With December only a day away now, and ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ nearing closer and closer, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has issued a statement informing residents and visitors that police patrols will be stepped-up over the busy Christmas and new year period as part of the ongoing ‘Project Servator’.
‘Project Servator’ is a national policing tactic that aims to “disrupt a range of criminal activity” and provide a “reassuring presence” for the public in areas of large footfall.
This means that we’ll be seeing an “increased and visible police presence” on the region’s streets for the next few weeks.
The streets of Greater Manchester are set to see an increased police presence over the coming weeks / Credit: GMP
This police presence will be made up of additional neighbourhood police officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), as well as specialist police officers – including plain clothes, and firearms officers.
On top of this, ‘Operation Dasher’ – which is GMP’s own operation for policing the Christmas markets – will also be running in the city centre during the festive period.
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#ProjectServator | Project Servator deployments are being stepped up across Greater Manchester over the busy Christmas and new year period, including the Christmas markets, transport hubs, entertainment venues and the Trafford Centre. pic.twitter.com/aP1IRrpfbJ
— Manchester City Centre Police (GMP) (@GMPCityCentre) November 24, 2023
“Christmas and new year are busy times for any city,” explained Sergeant Lee Keefe, who is GMP’s Project Servator co-ordinator, “but Manchester is particularly busy at this time of year because of the Christmas markets, Christmas shoppers, and more people enjoying a night out.”
Sergeant Keefe said the “unpredictable deployments” of both plain-clothes snd uniformed officers as part of ‘Project Servator’ can happen “at any time of the day and night”.
But GMP reassured this is “nothing to be concerned about”.
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GMP has explained why patrols are being stepped-up for the festive period / Credit: GMP
“Project Servator’s deployments are highly visible, but there is nothing to be concerned about if you see one in your area,” Sergeant Keefe continued.
“It’s normal police activity and isn’t linked to any specific intelligence about a threat to the area.
“Officers are experienced and specially trained to spot the tell-tale signs that someone is planning or preparing to commit an act of crime, and will also talk to the public and local businesses to let them know what they’re doing and remind them to be vigilant, trust their instincts and report any suspicious or unusual behaviour.”
Featured Image – GMP
News
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Emily Sergeant -
30th November 2023 
