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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Six teenage boys arrested following stabbing of 13-year-old in Rochdale town centre
Emily Sergeant
Six teenage boys have been arrested following the stabbing of a 13-year-old in Rochdale town centre over the weekend.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that officers were called out to reports of a ‘serious assault’ near the Riverside Shopping Centre in central Rochdale on Saturday (29 August), and when they arrived on the scene, they found that a 13-year-old boy had been stabbed.
The young boy currently remains in hospital receiving treatment, while a police investigation into the incident is open and ongoing.
Two teenage boys were first arrested on suspicion of assault and possession of a bladed article on the same day the incident occurred (29 August), but have since been released on bail.
Officers then made four further arrests yesterday (31 August), again all teenage boys who were arrested on suspicion of assault and possession of a bladed article, with enquires ongoing.
A Section 60 and 60AA ‘stop and search’ authority was introduced in Rochdale town centre following the recent incidents in area and following reports of youths carrying weapons in the locality, and this has now been extended to 3pm today (Tuesday 1 September).
“This was a serious and sustained attack that could have had far more tragic consequences,” explained Detective Superintendent, Richard Hunt .”Our team of experienced detectives is working around the clock to understand exactly what happened, identify all those involved, and secure the strongest possible evidence.
“We will relentlessly pursue every lead available to us and will leave no stone unturned in bringing all those responsible before the courts.
“Community safety remains our absolute priority, and we are committed to ensuring those who seek to bring violence onto our streets are held fully accountable for their actions.”
Can you help? Anyone who witnessed the incident, was in the town centre at the time, or has any mobile phone, CCTV, or dashcam footage, is urged to come forward and speak to police on 101, quoting log 2750 of 29/08/2026, or using the LiveChat function on the GMP website.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GMP
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High School Musical at Lowry, Salford – a night spent reliving our childhood | Review
Amy Williams
What a night spent reliving our childhood.
Now, I don’t want to exaggerate or seem biased, considering this is one of my favourite film trilogies of all time, but this could be the best stage show I’ve seen in a long while.
We all know how High School Musical goes, right? Set at East High, we follow Troy and Gabriella (the star basketball player, and the geeky new girl) who meet over New Year, and then become ‘star-crossed lovers’ when back at school as they’re part of two different ‘cliques’.
The duo mess with the ‘Status Quo’ when they audition for the school musical. But will they stick to what they know? Or become stars of the stage? I’m sure you know the ending.
High School Musical is currently on stage at Lowry, Salford / Credit: Matt Crockett (Supplied)
From the costumes and the characters, to the memorable songs (there’s actually 52 songs in this production, including a mega mix at the end), they’ve kept right to the script of the films – and that’s exactly what we wanted to see.
Of course, the biggest throwback of them all is Kaycee Stroh – who originally featured as Martha Cox in the film trilogy – taking the role as Ms Darbus, and she was just as incredible as we expected her to be. And to see her do the iconic dance in the finale was unbelievable, 13-year-old Amy was screaming.
Also featuring Jason Donovan as Coach Bolton, Tobias Turley as Troy, Leonor Correia as Gabriella, Caitlin Tipping Sharpay, and Luke Bayer as Ryan, it was a proper impressive cast all round.
It’s a night to properly relive your mid-00s childhood / Credit: Matt Crockett (Supplied)
There was crowd interaction right from the off, as they taught the crowd a cheerleading routine to be included later in the show, plus for the finale, they had the lyrics on the big screen too so everyone could sing-along.
If we could go and see this show every single night, we would – it is absolutely brilliant.
Emily Sergeant -
12th March 2024 
