A serving Manchester police officer has been sacked for sending “inappropriate messages” to a vulnerable woman.
After an accelerated Misconduct Hearing took place at Greater Manchester Police HQ earlier this week (19 September), Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has confirmed that PC Robert Whitehead has now been dismissed.
The hearing heard how PC Whitehead exchanged the messages via WhatsApp on his work mobile back in November 2022 after creating a care plan for the woman – who had previously been reported missing – with hearing chair, Chief Constable Stephen Watson saying PC Whitehead was aware that the woman was vulnerable, but still “engaged in flirtatious messaging”.
The messaging then switched to his personal phone.
PC Whitehead subsequently asked the woman to delete all the messages and photos exchanged between them, but the woman threatened to inform GMP about the messages.
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She then proceeded to go through with reporting the exchange, and at this point, PC Whitehead was suspended.
Manchester police officer sacked for sending ‘inappropriate messages’ to vulnerable women / Credit: GMP
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) carried out an investigation into PC Whitehead’s conduct, following a referral from GMP, with the officer – who was based at Tameside – also being added to the College of Policing Barred List.
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CC Watson dismissed PC Whitehead without notice at the hearing this week, and found that his actions “breached the standards of integrity and professional behaviour”, with it all amounting to gross misconduct.
“Every day and night, officers from GMP put on their uniforms to protect the vulnerable people in our communities from harm,” commented Detective Chief Superintendent Michael Allen, of GMP’s Professional Standards Branch, on PC Whitehead’s dismissal.
“Whitehead failed in that very duty, seriously abusing his privileged position by communicating with a vulnerable female in a grossly improper way, thus exposing her to further harm.
“Having abused his position by departing from the highest standards of professional behaviour that all police officers must embody, it is right that he has been dismissed from the force and barred from ever working in policing again.
“He will no longer will be able to put on a uniform nor carry a warrant card, and GMP are a better police service without him.
“No one in GMP will tolerate working alongside someone who behaves in such a corrupt way.”
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.
Emily Sergeant -
21st September 2023 
