News

Man responsible for several robberies on ‘vulnerable’ people in Manchester city centre arrested

"We hope this arrest sends a clear message."

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 13th June 2024

A man who police believe is responsible for several robberies against ‘vulnerable’ people in Manchester city centre has been arrested.

Following a number of shocking reports from members of the public, officers from Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) dedicated ‘Operation Vulcan’ team were deployed to Piccadilly Gardens one afternoon earlier this week (11 June) in a bid to track down the man believed to be responsible for “several robberies” against vulnerable people in Manchester city centre.

Officers’ deployment to the city centre greenspace comes after police received a report on Saturday 1 June that a sleeping homeless man was punched in the face and then had his phone stolen.

Not long after this, another report was received last Thursday (6 June) explaining that an elderly man had a cup of hot coffee thrown over him, before was then pushed to the ground, and, yet again, had his phone stolen.

A man responsible for several robberies on ‘vulnerable’ people in Manchester city centre has been arrested / Credit: GMP

Police subsequently launched an investigation into the reports “immediately” – with specialist ‘Operation Vulcan’ detectives assigned to the task

ADVERTISEMENT

Patrols were also “ramped up” in the area to help identify the suspect, GMP explained.

And thanks to all the efforts of everyone involved, a 37-year-old man was successfully arrested yesterday afternoon on suspicion of two counts of robbery, going equipped to steal, and the possession of class A drugs, as well as police managing to recover bolt cutters and several snap bags of drugs at the same time.

ADVERTISEMENT

Detective Sergeant Matt Donnelly, from GMP’s ‘Operation Vulcan’ team, said he hopes this arrest “sends a clear message” that police will investigate this kind of crime “thoroughly” to ensure those responsible “face the consequences of their actions”.

“Incidents like this can have a long-lasting negative impact on the lives of those who fall victim to it,” DS Donnelly continued.

Read more:

“We will continue to use all resources available to protect victims of crime, pursue offenders, and ensure Piccadilly Gardens continues to be a safe and attractive place to visit in the heart of our city.”

Featured Image – GMP

News

Police appeal to find next of kin after man found outside Palace Theatre

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Police appeal to find next of kin after man found outside Palace Theatre

Police are trying to track down the family of a man who died after being found unresponsive outside the Palace Theatre in Manchester.

The man, who has now been named as Jonathan Bernard Carroll, was seen outside the city centre theatre at around 6.30am on Tuesday 12 November.

Emergency services rushed to the scene and Mr Carroll was taken to hospital.

Tragically, the 47-year-old passed away a short time later.

A large cordon was in place on Whitworth Street and Oxford Road while police and security attended the incident.

Greater Manchester Police are now appealing to find his next of kin.

It’s believed that he resided in the Salford area of Greater Manchester.

Anyone with any information should contact the Coroner’s Office on 0161 856 1376.

Read more

Featured image: The Manc Group

News

Greater Manchester public urged to help get people ‘off the streets and on their feet’ before Christmas

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Locals are being urged to help get hundreds of people “off the streets and back on their feet” this festive season.

As the temperatures told colder by the day, and Christmas creeps closer and closer, Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity is bringing back ‘1000 Beds for Christmas’, and the massively-important initiative is aiming to provide 1,000 nights of accommodation to people at risk of homelessness before the big day arrives.

Forming part of the ongoing ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, this festive fundraising mission is designed to provide food, shelter, warmth, and dedicated vital wrap-around support for those who need it most.

The charity says it wants to build on the “incredible success of 2023”, which raised more than £55,000 and provided 1,800 nights of accommodation.

Stockport-based property finance specialists, Together – which has supported the campaign for the last two years – has, once again, generously pledged to match every public donation for the first £20,000 raised.  

Unfamiliar with the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme? Since 2017, when rough sleeping peaked, the initiative has helped ensure a significantly-higher rate of reduction in the numbers of people facing a night on streets in Greater Manchester than seen nationally.

The landmark scheme has given people the chance to rebuild their lives, while also giving them access to key services and opportunities that allows them to stay off the streets for good.

Despite the scheme’s recent success, organisations across Greater Manchester are under “a huge amount of pressure” to meet the demand for their services this winter, and given the current economic outlook, household budgets will continue to be squeezed – leaving people on the sharp end of inequality and poverty.

Read more:

“Help us be a lifeline to organisations on the frontline,” Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity urged in it’s public appeal for donations.

You can help make sure ‘A Bed Every Night’ is a reality for all by donating here.

Featured Image – EthelRedThePetrolHead (via Flickr)

More News

Crime

Former Manchester police officer jailed after sexually assaulting a child while on duty

City Centre

Manchester’s libraries will become ‘warm spaces’ with free hot drinks and Wi-Fi again this winter

The Manchester 24 Hour Charity Run Against Homelessness 2024

City Centre

Manchester’s 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness returns with its biggest venue host yet for 2024

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches