Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has revealed it’s invested millions of pounds seized from criminals back into communities across the region.
Over the past year, specialist investigators from GMP’s Economic Crime Unit have been recovering, confiscating, and forfeiting money from criminal operations to the nationwide Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS).
And it’s now been revealed that a total of £15,751,210 in criminal finances has been invested back into communities across Greater Manchester through the scheme.
Non-profit organisations have been the biggest beneficiaries.
These local organisations – which are known to benefit a large number of people across the region – have been able to apply for a maximum of £20,000 to fund 12 months’ worth of activities that GMP says “pledges to support our objectives to fight, prevent, and reduce crime”, as well as keep people in the community safe and care for victims.
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Just some examples of where the ARIS funding has gone over the past few years within Greater Manchester include organisations such as WeMove, Oldham Mountain Rescue Team, Get Away and Get Safe, and Deaf Ex-Offenders Network.
Breaking Barriers in Bolton, Rochdale-based organisation Tackling Minds, Tameside Arts, and Wigan Youth Zone are just a handful of other benefiting charities.
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Greater Manchester Police invests £15m seized criminal money ‘back into communities’ / Credit: GMP
“This is an excellent opportunity for the many projects which benefit Greater Manchester’s communities,” explained Detective Superintendent Joseph Harrop from GMP.
“The offenders who commit economic crimes often do so for their own financial gain.
“It is fitting that this money is now put to good use to benefit communities across Greater Manchester, as the money we recover is being used to help fight, prevent and reduce crime, keep people safe, and care for victims – which ultimately makes Greater Manchester a better place to live, work, and visit.”
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Non-profit organisations have been the biggest beneficiaries / Credit: GMP
Not only that, but also as part of ARIS – which is operated by the Home Office – some of the funds recovered will be returned to GMP to be “utilised in furthering asset recovery work”, as well as funding community initiatives and on policing operations.
It’s expected that before the end of 2023, a total of over £5.1 million will have been returned to GMP under the scheme.
Featured Image – GMP
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Major headliner pulls out of Manchester Village Pride
Daisy Jackson
One of the Manchester Village Pride headliners has had to pull out of their scheduled appearance, just one day before the celebrations begin.
Nadine Coyle was supposed to be headlining the LGBTQ+ event on Friday 27 August.
But in a statement shared by Manchester Village Pride today, they announced that the former Girls Aloud star is ‘under the weather’.
Nadine will be pulling out of her headline slot to ‘rest and recuperate’, but added that she hopes to see Manchester for Pride again soon.
Thankfully, Manchester Village Pride has already found a suitably fabulous replacement for the main stage on Friday – B*Witched.
The iconic Irish girl group will be encouraging ticket-holders to dig out their double denim and dance to hits like C’est La Vie and Rollercoaster.
In the statement shared by Manchester Village Pride, Nadine’s team said: “Nadine is so sorry to have to step out of Manchester Village Pride this year. It was her very first Pride many years ago and she loves getting to spend time with you all.
“Nadine’s voice has been under the weather and she only wants to give absolute best to you all which sadly won’t be possible this weekend as she needs time to rest and recuperate.
“We hate to do it so near the day. Nadine was really hoping she was going to be well enough and hopes she can see you in Manchester for Pride again soon.
“Thank you for being so kind and understanding and we hope you have a wonderful weekend.”
Manchester Village Pride added: “We know how excited many of you were for a massive hit of 2000s pop nostalgia, and we promised you a party. We’ve been working around the clock, and we are beyond thrilled to announce that pop royalty B*WITCHED are stepping in at the eleventh hour!”
Chester Zoo announces return of its £10 tickets for limited time only with extended opening hours
Emily Sergeant
Chester Zoo has announced the return of its popular £10 tickets deal for a limited time only.
You may remember that earlier this summer, Chester Zoo invited people from across the North West to visit for just £10, and as the offer proved so popular, they’ve now brought it back again for a limited time.
For the past three years running now, Chester Zoo has officially been named the UK’s best zoo thanks to tens of thousands of positive TripAdvisor reviews, and now as the summer draws to a close, you’ll get to see exactly what makes it such a special place worth visiting for a cut price.
With the offer only applicable to afternoons this summer, Afternoon Tickets allow entry to Chester Zoo from 2pm onwards – with the last entry being one-hour before it closes.
Chester Zoo is offering £10 tickets to visitors this summer / Credit: Chester Zoo
Without this offer, standard admission tickets to Chester Zoo usually cost up to £38 for adults, £37 for students, and £28 for children, all including a 10% donation to the zoo’s conservation efforts, while babies and carers go free.
So it really is worth making the most of these limited-time £10 tickets while you still can – with the offer now running until 6 September.
The best bit about the offer returning? The zoo is currently operating its extended opening hours until 6pm too, so included for the bargain price of a £10 ticket, you’ll even get to see all the animals while the sun goes down.
Afternoon tickets are only available online and must be booked in advance to claim the £10 offer.
Tickets can only be purchased online before 4pm on the day of your visit, and standard admission tickets can be purchased from our ticket office at the main entrance.
Find out more and book your £10 tickets online here.
Emily Sergeant -
4th May 2023 
