Residents right across Greater Manchester are being told to be vigilant and take extra precautions tomorrow night.
That’s because Friday 12 November has been dubbed as ‘Crime Night’.
How did this name come about then? Well, according to a new study and research done by Churchill Home Insurance, statistics reveal that this is the time that people in the UK are most likely to be burgled, as in previous years, there’s been more than 300 reported cases of burglary reported on this date.
Although it’s not entirely known why, this spike in crime is said to most likely correlate with the clocks going back, and analysis of home insurance claims over the past three years has shown that burglaries increase by a third (34%) during the winter months.
It’s estimated that nearly £900,000 worth of valuables could be stolen on ‘Crime Night’ alone, as the typical burglary claim costs in excess of £2,700, according to HullLive.
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November sees around eight hours and 37 minutes of sunlight every day, which is nearly two hours less than October (10 hrs 32 mins).
This is why Churchill is warning residents to be extra vigilant with the safety of their homes.
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Friday 12 November has been dubbed as ‘Crime Night’ / Credit: Pxfuel
70% Brits believe that their home is at greater risk of burglary during the darker months, with over three quarters (76% or 15.8 million people) of those over 55 feeling the most at risk, compared to 65% of those aged 18-34 (9.5 million), and 68% (11.7 million) of those aged 35-54.
But despite people feeling that they are at more risk of burglary over the winter period, apparently, many are unwilling to make changes to their properties to better protect themselves.
For example, nearly half of Brits (49%) aren’t planning to install additional locks on windows and doors, and 54% wouldn’t install smart security systems such as a ‘Ring’ doorbell to protect their home from burglary.
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If you are looking for some tips to keep your property safe on so-called ‘Crime Night’ though, then Churchill Home Insurance has some suggestions.
If you have a security alarm, use it – burglars will be able to tell if the alarm is not used and serviced regularly.
Ensure other items that may be used by burglars for breaking and entering, such as ladders or hammers, are locked away and out of sight.
Ask family, friends, or neighbours to pop around, leave a light on or invest in timed lights when you are away.
Make sure all windows and doors are locked
Try not to leave packaging for new expensive goods outside your home, as it can attract burglars and unwanted attention.
Featured Image – Pxfuel
Manchester
Manchester Museum’s iconic T-Rex Stan is moving for the first time over 20 years
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Museum’s iconic T-Rex Stan is moving locations for the first time over 20 years.
Stan, the famous Tyrannosaurus rex at the heart of Manchester Museum’s Fossils Gallery, is on the move from one historic building to another, as he leaves his home in the Museum next spring for a spectacular residency in a Grade II-listed Edwardian swimming pool.
That’s right – the famous dinosaur is heading on holiday to Victoria Baths, where he’ll be on display in the Gala Pool, marking the first time he has left Manchester Museum since arriving there in 2004.
The process of moving Stan to Victoria Baths is already being tipped as a ‘gargantuan task’.
Manchester Museum’s iconic T-Rex Stan is moving for the first time over 20 years / Credit: The Manc Group
It’s expected that the move will take a team of specialists a full week, as at 12-metres long and 3.7-metres tall, big boy Stan is roughly the size of a double decker bus and his bones must be dismantled and reassembled in a strict order to ensure counterbalance and stop him from toppling over.
During the residency at Victoria Baths, Stan will be on display to the public but will also act as the centrepiece for a full programme of events – with more details set to be announced soon.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for people to experience this incredible Tyrannosaurus rex in an entirely different context,” explained Georgina Young, who is the Acting Director at Manchester Museum.
“Not only is Victoria Baths breathtakingly beautiful, but their team will bring renewed creativity to encounters with Stan.”
Anthony Baker, CEO of the Victoria Baths Trust, added: “Victoria Baths would like to state for the record that we did not invite a T-Rex skeleton into our Grade II-listed swimming pool. Stan has made his own arrangements and we are simply going along with it.
“He is insisting that we open our doors for free so that as many people can visit him as possible and it is very difficult to say no to a giant dinosaur, especially when he asked so nicely.”
Stan the T-Rex will be at Victoria Baths from 22 March to 19 April 2027, and he’ll be free to pop in and say hello to.
Featured Image – Stephen Gidley (via Flickr)
Manchester
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.
Emily Sergeant -
11th November 2021 
