Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has issued an urgent appeal for information after a drive-by shooting in Manchester over the weekend left a teenage girl hospitalised.
It has been confirmed that an investigation is now underway.
The investigation comes after police we were called to reports of a person injured outside an address on Quinney Crescent in the Moss Side area of the city shortly before 10.30pm on Friday 29 July, and the victim – a 16-year-old girl – was taken to hospital in a stable condition, with a wound that GMP says it believes was “caused by a firearms discharge”.
The teenage girl’s physical injuries are thankfully understood to not be serious, according to GMP, and officers are confirmed to be with her and her family as she continues to recover in hospital.
Detectives from GMP’s Longsight CID say they believe that a single shot was fired by a passing vehicle at a crowd outside the address where a party was being held, and while it’s not thought that the girl was the intended target, enquiries are moving at pace to “establish the reason for the incident” and the people responsible for it.
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No arrests are confirmed to have been made at this time.
In the aftermath of the shocking incident, an extensive cordon was put in place at the scene while police investigated, additional officers were seen patrolling the area, and wider Section 60 ‘stop and search’ powers were obtained to be used in parts of the Hulme, Moss Side and Whalley Range areas of the city over the weekend.
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Members of the public with concerns or information were encouraged to approach officers and talk to them with confidence.
“My thoughts are with the victim whose physical injuries are thankfully not serious, but that does not diminish what could’ve happened here as incidents of this nature are always reckless, serious and risk lives being lost,” said Chief Superintendent Robert Cousen.
“We’re doing all we can to unpick the circumstances of this incident and to ensure that whoever is responsible is caught and brought to justice.”
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#UPDATE | We've again authorised these measures between 4pm today & 4am tomorrow in the same area of south #Manchester.
We can stop & search people, as well as dispersing anyone from the vicinity we believe may cause harm or distress to others. Our priority's to keep you safe. https://t.co/6XMIk2YHVT
— Longsight & Moss Side Police (GMP) (@GMPLongsight) July 31, 2022
He continued: “I thank the local community for their support and cooperation while this takes place and ask anyone with information to get in touch, as we know there was a party happening last night that we are confident will provide us with a number of potential witnesses to what occurred.”
Anyone with information should contact us online via the LiveChat facility on the GMP website, or by calling 0161 856 4382 quoting incident 3388 of 29/07/2022.
Details can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GMP
News
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 -
1st August 2022 
