A man has been arrested following the discovery of “human remains” in Salford last week, it has been confirmed.
Following the shocking discovery by a passerby in Kersal Wetlands in Salford last Thursday evening (4 April), and with a murder investigation still currently ongoing and proceeding at pace, Greater Manchester Police(GMP) has now confirmed that an arrest has been made.
A 20-year-old man, said to be “from the local area”, has been arrested on suspicion of murder, according to GMP.
He remains in police custody at this time, and will be questioned by detectives.
Through initial forensic and DNA testing, GMP has revealed it believes the victim whose remains have been found is a man who is likely to be aged older than 40, and who has only been deceased “for a matter of days” – but at this time, detectives are still “working hard” to determine the identity of the person.
ADVERTISEMENT
#ARREST | 20-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder as officers continue to investigate the discovery of human remains in Salford
We urge anyone with information to get in touch with us 📲 0161 8563625 quoting log number 2695 of 4/4/24.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) April 7, 2024
Detectives say their “main focus” at this moment in time is establishing who the victim is, and although they have not found anything else “of interest to the investigation” in the Kersal Wetlands area at this time, they are assuring the public that their work “will not stop until we are certain we have thoroughly searched this area”.
Local GMP officers and specialist branches within the force, such as search dogs and underwater search teams, are in the process of “combing through every inch of this area” until police are “satisfied” they have searched “as well as we can do”.
ADVERTISEMENT
With the murder investigation now ongoing, GMP has taken the time following this arrest to reissue its urgent appeal to the public.
“The arrest we made is an important step for our investigation,” commented Chief Superintendent Tony Creely, of GMP’s Salford district, “but we must keep an open mind, and a big part of this is speaking to anyone who may have crucial information.
“As we continue to work in the area, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the public for their concern and cooperation so far, and we are mindful this is a disturbing incident for the local community, but I can assure you that since we were made aware, we’ve been pursuing every single line of enquiry to help us find out what has happened.”
ADVERTISEMENT
#NEWS | Human remains discovered in Salford confirmed as that of a man as murder investigation continues
We urge anyone with information to get in touch with us 📲 0161 8563625 quoting log number 2695 of 4 April 2024.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) April 6, 2024
CS Creely says he “cannot stress enough” the importance of people contacting police with information regarding the case if they know anything at all.
He continued: “You may have information that you don’t feel is of importance, but it could be to us, so please pass it on. It could be the key piece of information we need to progress this investigation.”
Anyone who thinks they may have witnessed something suspicious in the Kersal Dale area over the last few days is asked to come forward by calling GMP on 101 and quoting log number 2695 of 4 April 2024, or submit any images or video footage via the dedicated Public Portal here.
Details can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GMP
News
Altrincham named one of the UK’s best places to live in 2026 in The Sunday Times’ annual ranking
Emily Sergeant
A popular Greater Manchester town has been named among the UK’s best places to live by the Sunday Times in its annual ranking.
That’s right… it’s that time of year, once again.
The Sunday Times is known for pulling together a list of what it considers to be the most sought-after places to live in the UK every year, and 2026’s ranking has officially been published today – with dozens of locations across the country making up the comprehensive guide, and six of those coveted locations being right here in the North West.
The Sunday Times’s expert judges have visited all locations on the list, and assessed factors such as schools, transport, culture, broadband speeds, access to green spaces, the health of the high streets, and much more to devise the always-talked-about annual ranking.
Macclesfield in Cheshire, Eden Valley in Cumbria, Lancaster in Lancashire, and Aigburth in Liverpool are just some of the North West areas named by the publication in the 2026 list.
Altrincham has been named one of the best places to live in the UK / Credit: The Manc Group
A spotlight has also been shone on two Greater Manchester towns, and one of two has even been given the regional North West title… but which are they?
Where has taken the top spot as the best place to live in the North West for 2026, and is therefore one of the best places to live in the whole of the country? Well, that honour has been given to none other than Greater Manchester’s very-own Altrincham.
The publication described the Trafford town as ‘classy, cool and effortlessly comfortable’.
“Altrincham is a top-notch town brimming with independent businesses and big brands, and now it’s flying even higher,” The Sunday Times said.
The fact that co-working has now arrived on the high street thanks to the conversion of the old Rackhams department store, and that the town’s cultural and creative ‘cachet’ is also on the rise, have been highlighted as reasons as to why Altrincham has been chosen as the North West’s winner, as well its newly-flourishing fitness scene.
Of course, the town has also been praised for its transport links into Manchester city centre and across the region, as well as it being a great place for families thanks to the excellent local schools on offer.
Didsbury was the other Greater Manchester town chosen to represent the best of the North West – with the Manchester suburb described as being ‘stylish, solid, safe, and, yes, a little bit smug in parts… but that’s okay’.
You can read the full Altrincham feature here, and see where else The Sunday Times included in its list for 2026 here.
Featured Image – Geograph
News
11 arrested and £70k cash seized during early-morning police drug raids across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
11 people have been arrested, as well as a large amount of cash and drugs seized, during early-morning raids across Greater Manchester.
The raids took place during the early hours of the morning yesterday (Thursday 19 March 2026), where Greater Manchester Police (GMP) successfully executed eight warrants simultaneously across Tameside, Oldham, and Rochdale to tackle a ‘suspected criminal network’ involved in the distribution of class A drugs and firearms.
Officers from Tameside Programme Challenger team, the District Intelligence Unit (DIU), and GMP’s Tactical Aid Unit (TAU) were deployed to each of the addresses.
Following weeks of intelligence gathering and preparation, a total of 11 people – each aged between 24 and 77 – were arrested on suspicion of drug-related offences during the raids.
Eight men and three women were arrested on suspicion of a range of offences, including conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs, being part of an organised crime group, possession with intent to supply, money laundering, and possession of an offensive weapon.
They all remain in police custody for questioning at this time, GMP confirmed.
During searches of the addresses, various class A, B and C drugs – including crack cocaine, heroin, cannabis, and nitrous oxide – were seized, while further recoveries of £70,000 in cash, a zombie knife, a BB gun, and four vehicles were also made at the same time.
Speaking following the success of the raids yesterday, Chief Superintendent Shan Nasim, District Commander for Tameside, said: “[This] operation has been a powerful example of our continued, determined effort to dismantle organised crime in our district and Greater Manchester.
“We have 11 people in custody being questioned by our investigation teams in relation to an organised crime group (OCG) that have been causing widespread harm across our communities.
“This action caused significant disruption of an organised crime group (OCG) and has prevented drugs and weapons from reaching the streets, as well as the associated harms that come hand in hand with organised crime.
“Organised criminals exploit vulnerable people and blight our communities; we will take robust action to catch offenders, keep our communities safe, and protect vulnerable people across Greater Manchester.”
Emily Sergeant -
8th April 2024 
