Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has issued a public appeal for information after a woman was left “extremely shook up” following an attempted sexual assault in Manchester yesterday evening.
Officers were called just before 11:15pm to a report of an attempted sexual assault on a woman at the popular Manchester greenspace, Platt Fields Park, on Wilmslow Road.
According to a statement on the incident issued by GMP, a woman was reportedly approached by a male pretending to be a taxi driver and followed him before she was pulled into some bushes – which subsequently raised the alarm with passers-by that he was not who he claimed to be, and that he had instead attempted to assault her.
The man then away from the scene towards Yew Tree Road, and police said enquiries are on-going to trace him.
A public appeal for information and witnesses has now been issued.
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A man that officers are keen to speak to is described as an Asian male, in his 30s, with short, dark cropped hair and short, dark full beard, and wearing a black coat.
#APPEAL We're appealing for information following an attempt sexual assault at Platt Fields Park in #Manchester last night. A woman was reportedly approached by a male pretending to be a taxi driver before she was pulled into some bushes and almost sexually assaulted. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/5LVp8YjhYO
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) May 22, 2022
“We’re aware this will no doubt raise concerns in the community and those who attended the music event nearby,” said Detective Chief Inspector Anthony Norman – from GMP’s City of Manchester division.
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“But I would like to reassure them that we have a number officers carrying out an investigation and there are increased patrols in the area.
“This was a horrific attack on a woman who thankfully managed to raise the alarm but has been left extremely shook up and is receiving the support she needs.
“No woman should have such an incident happen to them and all women should feel safe, which is why violence against women and girls is one of GMP’s top priorities [and] a team of detectives are currently pursuing all immediate lines of enquiry.”
The attempted sexual assault on the woman occurred at Platt Fields Park last night / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“We’re now appealing to the public to come forward with any information,” he added.
“We want to bring the man responsible to justice and we can do this by hearing from anyone who may have information.”
Anyone with any information or anyone who may have seen the male described is asked to report it to Greater Manchester Police by calling 0161 856 6051 or reporting it online or via the LiveChat at www.gmp.police.uk.
Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Greater Manchester public urged to help get people ‘off the streets and on their feet’ before Christmas
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.
Emily Sergeant -
23rd May 2022 
