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.”
Public urged to call the police if they see this wanted man
Daisy Jackson
Cheshire Police are appealing for the public’s help in tracing a wanted man with links to Macclesfield and Alsager.
Joshua Wyatt, 34, is wanted on recall to prison, and officers are urging anyone who has seen him or knows of his whereabouts to come forward.
Wyatt is described as being 183cm (6ft) tall and of medium build, with a bald head and blue eyes.
Police believe he has links to both Macclesfield and Alsager.
Anyone who sees Wyatt or has information about where he may be is asked to contact Cheshire Police on 101 or report information via the force’s website.
Information should be provided quoting reference number 26000809013.
Huge shuttle bus effort laid on to get Manchester United fans to Old Trafford amid tram disruption
Daisy Jackson
Transport for Greater Manchester has announced a shuttle bus scheme to help Manchester United fans get to Old Trafford this week, amid major tram disruption.
Fans won’t be able to use trams to get to the ground as usual, due to huge improvement works which are in place until Monday 2 November.
There’ll be no trams at all on the Altrincham, Trafford Park, and Eccles lines, with Airport and East Didsbury trams only going as far as Firswood.
That means that fans heading to Manchester United’s home game against Bournemouth would have been a little stuck without this newly-announced shuttle bus service.
Frequent dedicated shuttle buses will run running Piccadilly Gardens, Altrincham Interchange and the Trafford Centre, taking fans directly to Old Trafford before the game.
Frequencies range from five to 20 minutes depending on the route and time, with details available online. Return services will be in place after the final whistle.
TfGM staff will be at key stops and interchanges throughout the day to help fans get to the match and provide travel advice.
Huge shuttle bus effort laid on to get Manchester United fans to Old Trafford amid tram disruption. Credit: TfGM
Ian Davies, TfGM’s Network Director for Metrolink, said: “There is no good time to disrupt passengers to carry out these works, and this is the first time in over a decade that trams won’t serve Old Trafford on a match day, but these works are essential and will enable us to provide a better service in future. I am very sorry to fans who face disruption.
“We’ve put a range of alternative travel options in place, including dedicated shuttle buses, bolstered Bee Network bus services, rail options and ticket acceptance arrangements will help fans get to and from the game.
“Journey options will be different from usual, so we would encourage supporters to plan ahead, check their route and our website before they travel and leave plenty of time to get to and from the stadium.”
TfGM is advising supporters to leave around an hour earlier to help make sure they arrive in time for kick-off.
Emily Sergeant -
21st September 2023 
