News
Man arrested as murder investigation continues following discovery of ‘human remains’ in Salford
Detectives have reissued their urgent appeal to the public for information.
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.
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”.
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.”
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.
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Details can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GMP
News
Andy Burnham wants to bring the ‘Greater Manchester way’ to Westminster
Emily Sergeant
Andy Burnham has set out his vision for the country if he is to become Prime Minister.
In case you need brining up to speed first, after it was announced earlier this month that Andy Burnham had clinched the victory in the crucial Makerfield by-election, winning 24,927 votes (54.8% vote share) and a majority of 9,231, he then went onto announce his intention to run for Labour Party leader, and therefore Prime Minister, after Keir Starmer confirmed he would be stepping down.
And this week, Mr Burnham has now delivered his first speech as part of his ongoing campaign, addressing how he plans to give the country a ‘new direction’.
Burnham says that he wants to bring the ‘Greater Manchester way’ to Westminster.
A lot has been discussed and reported on when it comes to Burnham’s intentions to create a so-called Number 10 North here in Manchester, but what exactly does it mean to take the ‘Greater Manchester way’ to the capital?
“The Greater Manchester way is based on strong partnership between all sectors: public, private,
community, voluntary, academic, faith, and our trade unions,” Burnham said in his speech.
He continued: “When I started as Mayor in 2017, we set about building a new approach, a new politics based on the exact opposite of the Westminster approach.
“Place-first, not party-first. Problem-solving, not point-scoring. Long-term, not short-term.
“A decade on, it’s incredible how much we’ve been able to achieve by working together instead
of fighting against one another.”
Burnham said he feels the truth is that the country spends ‘too much time arguing and not enough time doing’ and that for Britain to get back where it ‘should be’, his Government would ask everyone to ‘face the same way’ and then ‘pull in that same direction together’.
He declared that No 10 North will be the ‘nerve centre’ for a rewired Britain.
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“It will be the conduit through which we redistribute power and resources across the UK,” he concluded. “It will coordinate all parts of Government, at national and local level, to agree a long-term
economic strategy and help all places set new growth ambitions.”
Featured Image – GMCA
News
Body of missing 15-year-old boy recovered from water at Salford country park
Emily Sergeant
The body of a missing 15-year-old boy has sadly been recovered from the water at a country park in Salford.
Officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called to reports of a teenager getting in to difficulty in the water at Clifton Country Park in Salford at around 4:51pm this past Saturday (27 June).
Since then, emergency services – including partners from Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service (GMFRS) and North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) – have been working together to locate the missing boy.
But despite their best efforts, a body was, unfortunately, located in the water yesterday (29 June).
The body was recovered from the water by specialists at North West Under Water Search and Marine Unit, GMP confirmed.
Formal identification is yet to take place, but police are supporting the family of the missing boy in the meantime.
“Saturday’s incident is truly heartbreaking,” commented Detective Inspector Dave Ogden, from the Salford CID.
“My thoughts remain with the family and loved ones of the young boy who has so tragically lost his life. While we are satisfied there are no suspicious circumstances, this incident is an incredibly upsetting reminder of the serious risks associated with open water.
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“We understand people want to make the most of the warm weather, but we would urge everyone to stay safe and avoid entering reservoirs, rivers, canals or ponds.
“Please take care and enjoy the weather in a safe way.”
Featured Image – David Dixon (via Geograph)
Emily Sergeant -
8th April 2024 
