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Nitrous oxide haul seized and man arrested on Parklife festival site

And before the festival had even started.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 8th June 2024

Before the gates to Parklife had even opened, a man had been arrested for carrying ‘significant quantities’ of drugs.

The man was found within the event site on Friday 7 June – a day before the festival actually started – with Nitrous Oxide.

The substance is now classified as a Class C drug.

Greater Manchester Police and Parklife security detained the ‘suspicious male’ shortly after 3pm yesterday.

The 34-year-old was arrested by police on suspicion of possession with intent to supply, and remains in custody while the investigation continues.

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A photograph of the items seized by police shows a large number of canisters and a bag of balloons.

Parklife is working closely with GMP to tackle anti-social behaviour, crime and drug dealing in all its forms to ensure those attending the event are safe, and minimise disruption to local communities.

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Superintendent Andy Sidebotham, who leads the Parklife policing operation this year, said: “We will work tirelessly this weekend – alongside event security and our partners – to prevent and tackle any criminality brought by a small number of people who attend the event or the local area.

“This is to help ensure that the majority of genuine festival-goers and residents have a safer and more enjoyable weekend.”

Parklife also put out a statement about Nitrous Oxide, writing: “Nitrous Oxide is now a Class C drug, making possession and use a criminal offence.

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“For the sake of a few balloons, why risk not getting into Parklife?

“If you get a police record for drugs it could impact on your future employment, education and travel plans.”

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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.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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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.

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“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)

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