A man has been arrested in Northenden following a police chase where he attempted to hide under a trampoline to evade capture.
At around 2am on Wednesday morning, officers on patrol spotted a Volkswagen Golf they believed to have been stolen in Northenden.
But after being alerted by officers, the Golf made off sharpish in an attempt to avoid the officers – leading to a short pursuit, as the vehicle shot off in the direction of terminal 2 at Manchester Airport.
Things escalated quickly as the National Police Air Service (NPAS) was deployed to track the vehicle. Before long, it was sighted travelling along Portway.
Credit: Unsplash
The driver was clearly in a panic, as the car then mounted the pavement and then collided with a wall on Harry Rowley Close, Woodhouse Park.
ADVERTISEMENT
Following the collision, the driver made off on foot in another desperate escape attempt – but was soon spotted by NPAS in a nearby garden, hiding under a trampoline, before he again made off towards Portway.
The man was ultimately detained by a nearby officer and arrested on suspicion of burglary. He remains in custody for questioning.
ADVERTISEMENT
The VW Golf was recovered and is believed to have been involved in a series of burglaries in the Trafford area.
This isn’t the first time that alleged burglars have used a trampoline in an attempt to evade police, either.
ADVERTISEMENT
In 2016, a “bouncing burglar” used a trampoline to evade escape in Oldham, leaping from a window onto the child’s play apparatus in an acrobatic escape before slipping and making off across the lawn.
And further afield in 2019 in Cape Town, a suspect used a trampoline to make a leap of faith over a wall in order to evade Metro officers hot on his tail in pursuit. Reportedly, in this case officers considered impounding the trampoline for “aiding and abetting” his escape but later decided against it. You couldn’t make this stuff up.
It seems trampolines are a popular route of escape and can even be quite a successful option – if you use them to bounce on rather than to hide under, that is sort of their purpose after all.
Featured image: Pixabay / Unsplash
News
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Georgina Pellant -
1st December 2021 
