Greater Manchester Police have announced that they will be reinvesting more than significant amounts of money seized from criminals back into local communities across the region.
Issuing a press release on Monday, 26 September, GMP confirmed that funds secured through shutting down illegal activity will be redistributed via the Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS).
As explained in the statement, non-profits in the Greater Manchester that can benefit large numbers of people in local areas can once again apply for as much as £20,000 to fund 12 months’ worth of community activities.
Last year the scheme helped dozens of organisations make a direct impact on the local community.
Last year, successful applicants included GetAway’N’GetSafe, which used the money to fund a project which uses sessions delivered directly in schools to encourage young people from Manchester to turn away from a life of crime and inspire them to take control of their futures and achieve their dreams.
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Sadly, for all its charm, Manchester currently sits as the second ‘most dangerous’ city for burglaries and while we look after each other around here, some crime is always going to be inevitable. That’s why initiatives like this are so important.
To be eligible, the activities “must support GMP’s objectives to fight, prevent and reduce crime; keep people safe; and care for victims.”
GMP Superintendent and Head of the Economic Crime and Cyber Unit, Estelle Mathieson, said: “This is an excellent opportunity for the many projects which benefit Greater Manchester’s communities.
“Offenders often commit crimes for their own financial gain so this is an important part of the criminal justice system and ensures we can give back in one way or another.”
Mathieson and her specialist Greater Manchester Police task force helped recover over £360,000 of stolen money after shutting down a fraudulent social media company back in June 2021.
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She went on to state how excited local authorities are to see “how this money helps fight, prevent and reduce crime… Ultimately, making Greater Manchester a better place to live, work and visit.”
Workers at major Manchester city centre hotel to strike this bank holiday weekend
Emily Sergeant
Workers at one of the most prominent hotels in Manchester city centre are set to strike this bank holiday weekend.
Workers at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel and its bar venue The Refuge, who are members of the union Unite, will take 24 hours of strike action on Saturday (29 August) in what is said to be a ‘long-running dispute’ over union busting.
The strike day chosen by the workers is the second day of this year’s Manchester Village Pride, and is historically the most lucrative day of the year for their employer.
This is because Kimpton Clocktower is located very close to the Pride Parade route, and for several years has been a very popular location for people attending the festival, and even runs a number of Pride events itself.
Unite says that for months now, workers at the Kimpton Clocktower – which is owned by InterContinental Hotels Group UK (IHG) – have been asking for formal union recognition to improve conditions after raising several issues with management, but IHG UK has refused this and instead ‘targeted’ the union for its actions.
Workers at a major Manchester city centre hotel are set to strike this bank holiday weekend / Credit: Rebecca Hope Photography (Supplied)
Previous strikes have already taken place this summer, apparently causing ‘financial hits’ to the business in the process – with the bar being forced to close early at several events as there were not enough staff to cover them.
“A strike on Kimpton’s most profitable day is entirely of its own making,” commented Unite regional officer, Alison Treacher. “Throughout this dispute, Kimpton Clocktower management have treated its loyal workforce with contempt and our members have shown they will not stand for it.
“There is still time to avoid this highly disruptive strike action, but that relies on IHG changing tack by listening to its members and giving them the union recognition they have long been calling for.”
This dispute is said to be the first ever hospitality strike in the North West.
Unite is currently running a petition demanding that IHG UK stop targeting union activists, recognise the Kimpton workers rights to have their grievance heard collectively, and support their union recognition campaign.
Featured Image – LJK Photography (Supplied)
News
Remarkable Lake District rescue of dog missing for THREE WEEKS
Daisy Jackson
A dog who was missing for almost three WEEEKS in the Lake District has, miraculously, been rescued.
Little Teddy went missing on 2 August, disappearing from his owner on Helvellyn.
Volunteers from Keswick Mountain Rescue Team spent the following weeks searching for the scrappy dog, with one eventually hearing him barking from Dry Gill.
The poor dog had got stuck in the gill in a dangerous location that required a full team of seven to bring him to safety.
Remarkably, Teddy appeared to be uninjured, though he had lost quite a bit of weight after three weeks living wild on the fell.
His rescuers gave him a small amount of food before securing him in a rucksack and carrying him back to Swirls car park.
The whole rescue took around three and a half hours, when Teddy was reunited with his very relieved owner and taken to the vets.
Teddy making his way down from HelvellynTeddy the dog was part of a rescue mission in the Lake DistrictTeddy was rescued after three weeks missingCredit: Keswick Mountain Rescue
Keswick Mountain Rescue said: “The team are absolutely delighted to share this update, as the news of this missing dog had deeply affected so many people across our local community.
“A remarkable outcome after nearly three weeks on Helvellyn, and a huge well done to everyone who kept searching and never gave up on Teddy.”
The mountain rescue team is funded entirely through donations – you can use ‘Buy me a coffee’ to make a small donation HERE, or donate the normal way HERE.
Danny Jones -
28th September 2022 
