The government has announced that “middle-class coke heads” who take drugs at football matches could be banned for five years.
Under the new rules, which were announced by Policing Minister Kit Malthouse yesterday, are part of the government’s bid to stop violence and disorder at sports matches, and could see anyone convicted of taking or selling Class A drugs ordered to surrender their passports when their football team is playing abroad.
The measures are expected to be introduced during the 2022-2023 season.
The announcement follows growing police concern that drug abuse is fuelling a rise in violence at matches, and comes after incidents such as the scenes were thousands of ticketless fans tried to get into Wembley Stadium for the Euro 2020 final between England and Italy last July, which lead to chaos around the stadium and Wembley Way.
There was also widespread reports of mass alcohol and drug consumption, and the government hopes these the new measures will prevent such disorder.
On the announcement of the new measures, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that “middle-class coke heads” are driving crime across the UK, adding that they: “Should stop kidding themselves, their habit is feeding a war on our streets, and driving misery and crime across our country and beyond.”
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He continued: “That’s why we are stepping up our efforts to make sure those who break the law face the full consequences, because taking illegal drugs is never a victimless crime.”
Policing Minister Kit Malthouse also added: “It’s been a thrilling football season, but at some games we’ve seen ugly violence that that has shocked all the leagues [and] more and more, the police are finding Class A drugs at the heart of that disorder and so we must act.”
He said that such bans have been successful in the past, adding: “Football banning orders have been a game-changer in rooting out racism and violence at football, and now we want them to do the same for drug-related disorder.
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The measures are expected to be introduced during the 2022-2023 season / Credit: Ellen Kerbey (via Unsplash)
“The government is determined to drive down drug use and bring home to all who take them that drugs bring consequences.”
The National Police Chief’s Council has backed the move.
NPCC Football lead Mark Roberts said: “Policing and football authorities all support this measure and it is an important step in ensuring that the use of drugs at football is tackled so the majority of fans, particularly those with families, can enjoy themselves without suffering anti-social behaviour and violence.”
‘Prolific’ South Manchester burglar jailed for thefts which included peanuts…
Daisy Jackson
A ‘prolific’ burglar has been jailed for just over two years, for numerous thefts including sunglasses, airpods, and peanuts…
The man was caught red-handed inside someone’s property, where he claimed he was just wanting a glass of water – but was found by police officers to have the resident’s car keys in his pocket.
Fazal Alnesi, 26, from Moss Side, was then linked to a number of other burglaries, attempted burglaries, and thefts across South Manchester.
Fazal was sentenced to 27 months at Manchester Crown Court last week after pleading guilty to offences including six counts of burglary in June of this year.
He was arrested on 12 June, when a man returned to his home in Fallowfield in the early hours of the morning and discovered Fazal inside his address.
He claimed he was there because he wanted a glass of water but subsequently refused to leave, which led to police being called.
Officers placed Alnensi in handcuffs and found the resident’s car keys in his pocket, as well as indications that he’d been rummaging through the man’s drawers.
He was later linked to other thefts include a wrench set from a car, a pedal cycle worth £350, airpods, sunglasses – and even peanuts from one address.
He additionally took an electric bike charger from one address worth hundreds of pounds.
PC Jon Holden, from GMP’s City of Manchester district, said: “Alnensi took various items from several homes and cars across a two-week period earlier this year, making off with hundreds of pounds worth of goods.
“Ultimately, Alnensi left people feeling unsafe in his own home, and I am glad he is now behind bars.
“Our team will investigate all burglaries, and I would encourage people to get in touch with us – all intelligence helps us lock up criminals and bring them to justice.”
The top 10 ‘happiest’ places to live in the North West in 2026 have been named
Emily Sergeant
The top 10 happiest places to live in the North West have been named for 2026.
It comes as Rightmove has published its annual ‘Happy at Home’ index this week, just as it has done for the last 14 years now, exploring exactly what it is that makes people feel content about where they live, and highlighting the happiest places nationwide ahead of the new year – with thousands of residents across more than 200 locations providing feedback.
The residents told the leading property listing platform what they love (or don’t love) about their community, from the friendliness of their neighbours, to job opportunities, access to green spaces, and so much more.
The survey also outlined the differences in happiness in rural, urban, and suburban environments, as well as the way our sense of ‘home happiness’ changes as we age.
So, when it comes to the North West as a whole then, where do we have in the top 10?
Well, to kick things off, you may have already seen that one Lancashire market town has earned its place in the top 10 nationwide, not just for the North West region – and that’s Chorley.
Closest to the Bolton and Wigan boroughs, Chorley – which is is about a 40-minute drive outside of Manchester, and sits on a direct train route into the city centre.
But aside from the national top 10, when it comes to the regional top 10, the next two towns following Chorley in second and third are both in Greater Manchester.
The North West’s top 10 happiest places to live 2026
Chorley
Stockport
Altrincham
Chester
Macclesfield
Southport
Kendal
Wirral
Northwich
Carlisle
Altrincham has been named one of the North West’s happiest places to live / Credit: The Manc Group
The ever-thriving Stockport comes in at number two, followed by Trafford favourite Altrincham directly behind it at number three.
Other of the region’s inclusions like Bury, Bolton, Wigan, and the Manchester borough itself all ranked towards the bottom.
Speaking on this year’s list, Colleen Babcock – a property expert at Rightmove – explained: “The balance between greenery and everyday convenience runs through the wider findings. Even among people who would ideally choose a rural setting, access to amenities, parks and public transport remains important.
“This year’s results suggest that the places people rate most highly aren’t simply urban or rural, but often bring together some of the best elements of both.”
Featured Image – Roger Kidd (via Wikimedia Commons)
The Manc -
20th May 2022 
