Greater Manchester’s fire service has been revealed as the ‘most improved’ in the UK, according to a new report.
Not only that, but it’s also been named one of the ‘best performing’ services too.
Following the latest inspection report from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS), Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) has now been revealed as both the most improved fire and rescue service, and one of the best performing in the country.
The report – which was published last Friday (8 March) – examined 11 different areas across GMFRS, which ranged from the prevention of fires, and protecting the public, to promoting the right culture and values, and developing staff.
Today we published our latest inspection of @manchesterfire.
We were pleased with the service's performance in keeping people safe and secure from fire and other risks, and commend the service on the changes it has made.
10 of those 11 areas have now been rated ‘good’, which is an impressive increase on the first inspection in 2018, when only three areas received that rating, and seven ‘required improvement’.
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On top of this, six areas have also been recognised as ‘demonstrating promising or innovative practice’ – which is more than any other fire service in the country so far.
GMFRS was commended for the “significant progress” it’s made across the organisation to “drive positive changes” to operations and culture.
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Greater Manchester’s fire service has been revealed as the ‘most improved’ in the UK / Credit: GMFRS
Inspectors praised the service for keeping Greater Manchester residents safe and secure from fires and other risks, particularly noting the “consistent progress” made since the previous inspection, as well as applauding the quality of its fire safety work, and the way it has improved different capabilities – including its terror attack response capability.
Overall, inspectors said they are “confident” the service will continue to progress and improve.
🚒 We are proud to say @manchesterfire is the most improved and one of the best performing fire and rescue services in the country, according to a new @HMICFRS report.
It’s a testament to the hard work of @CFODaveRussel and everyone across GMFRS.
— Mayor of Greater Manchester (@MayorofGM) March 8, 2024
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said he is “immensely proud” of GMFRS for its recent performance in the report.
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“We know that the service of seven years ago has undergone fundamental change, and our Chief Fire Officer and his leadership team have relentlessly committed themselves to that mission,” he continued, “And this report is a testament to their work.”
Mr Burnham also added that it’s a testament to the “tireless efforts” of everyone at GMFRS to keep the region safe and deliver a “professional” and “inclusive” service.
Featured Image – GMFRS
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Beloved Manchester artist Stanley Chow slams Conservative Party for using his artwork
Daisy Jackson
Celebrated local artist Stanley Chow has lashed out at the Conservative Party.
The illustrator, who is famed for his cartoon portraits of famous faces, has discovered that the political party have been using his Andy Burnham illustration at their party conference.
Publicly addressing the usage, Stanley said he would be ‘seeking legal advice’.
He shared a photo of his Andy Burnham portrait that has been placed onto a water bottle with the slogan ‘Bottler Burnham’.
The label also says: “0% strength. Bottled under pressure from Badenoch.”
In another photo, Stanley Chow revealed that the Tory party conference has used his Andy Burnham portrait on pots of sweets, too.
This time, they say: “Andy Panders’ people pleaser pick n mix. Free sweets for everyone, it will only cost you higher taxes.”
Stanley wrote: “It seems like @conservatives have been using my artwork without my permission at their conference party…
“Regardless of whatever your political allegiances are, it’s still copyright infringement… I’ll be seeking legal advice.”
Backing him up in the comments are a number of other local artists, including Mancsy, who said: “As well as the copyright infringement, I expect more of political parties than making gags at the expense of the opposition. It’s alarming on multiple levels.”
Someone else wrote: “Imagine calling a prime minister a people pleaser like it’s an insult… when it’s their job.”
Another person said: “How does that even happen?! Layers of people signing off who go, ‘Sure, let’s not worry about copyright’ (people who’ve presumably never step foot in MCR and seen your artwork, like EVERYWHERE). Drag em, babe. Copyright and reputation, surely.”
Manchester man jailed after sexually assaulting and masturbating in front of woman on train
Emily Sergeant
A man has been jailed after sexually assaulting and masturbating in front of a woman on board a train to Manchester.
Following an extensive British Transport Police (BTP) investigation, Nisan Fernando Kurukulasuriya, of Troutbeck Road in Altrincham, was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court last month.
At the trail last month, the court heard how, on Monday 20 April 2026, 39-year-old Kurukulasuriya was on a train from Stoke to Manchester and sat next to a woman he didn’t know, who was on the phone.
He then sexually assaulted her repeatedly, doing so again even after being pushed away by the woman.
The woman then noticed that Kurukulasuriya had exposed himself and was masturbating in front of her. She shouted at him, and in response, he stood up and ran away to leave the train – but the woman immediately got up to report the incident to staff.
When the train arrived at Manchester Piccadilly, the woman alerted a member of staff while Kurukulasuriya was stood only a few meters away, and BTP were subsequently called straight away.
Police quickly attended and arrested Kurukulasuriya.
When police interviewed him, Kurukulasuriya showed no remorse for his actions and refused to answer any questions put to him.
After pleading guilty to Sexual Assault and Outraging Public Decency at a previous court hearing, Kurukulasuriya was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment, and was also handed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) which will bar him from sitting next to any woman he doesn’t know on public transport, as well as being put on thensex offenders register for 10 years.
BTP Detective Sergeant, Mark Haviland, called Kurukulasuriya a ‘despicable man’ who targeted a woman travelling alone ‘for his own sick sexual gratification’.
Emily Sergeant -
12th March 2024 
