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Meet the man tasked with turning Greater Manchester Police around

GMP's new Chief Constable will be Steve Watson - leader of South Yorkshire Police.

The Manc The Manc - 24th March 2021

South Yorkshire Chief Constable Steve Watson has been chosen as the man to lead Greater Manchester Police into a new era, according to the Manchester Evening News.

The MEN published a piece on Wednesday morning revealing that Watson had been chosen from a list of three candidates for the role – which has been filled temporarily by Ian Pilling since Ian Hopkins’ departure in December.

Ex-Constable Hopkins stepped down at the end of last year after GMP entered special measures when it was revealed that over 80,000 crimes had gone unreported.

His replacement Watson has been described as “one of the most experienced senior officers in the country,” with a career spanning three decades.

He has held positions at Merseyside Police, Metropolitan Police and Durham Constabulary, as well as being appointed a senior member of the 2012 Olympic Command Team (and awarded the Commissioner’s Commendation).

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Watson took the Chief Constable post at South Yorkshire Police in 2016 and was credited with turning around a “troubled” department – with the force named ‘most improved’ in the country three years in a row.

Watson’s official appointment as Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police is expected to be confirmed later today (March 24).

Feature image: South Yorkshire Police

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Leigh Leopards share update regarding Tesi Niu allegations

Danny Jones Danny Jones Leigh Leopards statement on Tesi Niu abuse allegations

Greater Manchester rugby league side Leigh Leopards have now issued an update addressing the allegations levelled at one of their players, Tesi Niu.

With the statement coming directly from the club’s owner, Derek Beaumont, the club have shed light on their understanding of the situation.

Beaumont, who bought the team over a decade ago and rebranded it from ‘Centurions’ to the Leopards back in 2022 (and also owns a local decking company based in Worsley), appeared to speak on behalf of the club following the accusations made last week.

Sharing an official communication on social media on Wednesday afternoon, 8 January, they open by saying that “the club is aware of social media activity of concern from one of its players’ accounts, that of Tesi Niu.”

“The club can confirm that the player’s account was accessed externally and without his knowledge or consent”, they continue, “and [was] deleted a short period thereafter.”

“We were instantly aware of this as it happened”, says the Leigh Leopards owner. “As a club, we have policies and procedures and employ a Player Welfare Manager who is a qualified counsellor. 

“Our first port of call in these circumstances is to ensure the welfare of our player and any external party that may be involved. This was immediately initiated.

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“Having since personally spoken with Tesi and Kiana individually and at length, and then our Player Welfare Manager and Head Coach, I am completely satisfied that they are both being fully supported. 

“I can also confirm that there is no official complaint to the club regarding the player, nor to any relevant authorities. To that end, the club will make no further statements about the matter and would welcome supporters’ trust in the club’s processes and findings.”

For context, you can read what 24-year-old Niu has been accused of in full down below.

Leigh Leopards star Tesi Niu accused of abuse by partner

While the organisation has now insisted that nothing formal has been raised within the club nor with the police at this time, many supporters are still insisting that there must be a full investigation into the troubling claims.

At present, however, the statement seems to suggest that they won’t be taking the matter any further internally – at least not for now/until a proper case is opened.

Nevertheless, many Leopards supporters, rugby fans and people online in general have understandably raised more concerns following the statement.

Neither Tesi Niu himself nor Kiana Smith – his partner of more than five years, currently said to be pregnant with their third child – has yet to share any further message(s) following the initial declaration of alleged abuse.

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Featured Images — Fleets (via Wikimedia Commons)/Leigh Leopards (via Facebook)

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Three children sustain ‘serious injuries’ after falling from top deck window of school bus

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Three children have sustained ‘potentially serious injuries’ after falling out of a window on the top deck of a double-decker school bus in Greater Manchester.

The shocking incident happened shortly before 4pm yesterday afternoon (7 January 2026) on Bolton Road, in the Ashton-in-Makerfield area, and according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP), the children sustained ‘potentially serious injuries’ in the process, although they are not thought to be life-threatening.

An investigation into the incident is currently in the early stages, but GMP Inspector Simon Barrie said in a statement that it appeared to be an ‘unfortunate accident’.

“This is a serious incident that will cause disruption,” Inspector Barrie said. “Our priority is to make sure the children get the treatment they need in hospital. Thankfully we don’t believe their injuries are life-threatening.

“This does appear to be an unfortunate accident at this time, but we will be making enquiries as to the circumstances and liaising with partners.”

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) also confirmed that said it is ‘working closely’ with the bus operator in supporting police with their enquiries into the incident.”: “Our thoughts are with those injured and we want to wish them a speedy recovery.

“Emergency services remain at the scene, and we are working closely with the bus operator in supporting police with their enquiries into the incident.”

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The road has since reopened, the BBC has reported.

It’s believed, according to Councillor Danny Fletcher, of the Ashton-on-Makerfield South ward – who posted to Facebook after speaking to police – that the young people fell from a top floor-side window of a school bus and were subsequently taken to Manchester Children’s Hospital for treatment.

Featured Image – GMP

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