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.
Premier League Darts is returning to Manchester’s AO Arena in 2027
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Premier League Darts is confirmed to be returning to Manchester next year.
Now’s your chance to see the youngest world champion in darts history, AKA Warrington’s very-own Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler, show us how it’s done, as next year’s BetMGM Premier League Darts lineup has just been announced this week – with various dates confirmed across 17 different cities in the UK and Europe.
And Manchester is one of those cities, as the AO Arena has shared that they are set to host an evening next April, and we couldn’t be more excited about it.
This means that we will be lucky enough to witness the biggest names in world darts all under one roof, including headliners Gian van Veen and Luke Humphries, as well as Littler.
Manchester is the only northern city to get the pleasure of hosting the event next year, as Liverpool is also on the lineup, as is Leeds, Sheffield, and Newcastle, while elsewhere in the UK, the stars will travel to Glasgow, Birmingham, London, and several other major locations.
BetMGM Premier League Darts is to be held on Thursday 8 April at the AO Arena in Manchester, and to avoid being disappointed, fans are advised to register for presale ticket access.
Following a successful season of events in 2026, tickets are expected to be like gold-dust, so don’t say you haven’t been warned.
To access the first wave of tickets, fans must become an active PDCTV Annual Member before 23:59pm on Friday 9 October. Alternatively, general sale is on Thursday 22 October 2026, but make sure not to hang about.
Featured Image – Sandro Halank (via Wikimedia Commons)
News
Andy Burnham wants to scrap the ‘unfair’ ban on drinking alcohol in football stands
Emily Sergeant
Andy Burnham has claimed he wants to scrap the ‘unfair’ ban on fans getting to drink alcohol in football stands.
It’s a ban that’s been in place in the top five tiers of men’s football since 1985, when fears over violence and hooliganism were at their height, but now the Prime Minister has raised the question of whether drinking in football stands – or ‘drinking in sight / view of the pitch’, as it’s known formally – is actually unjust, due to the fact that same rules don’t apply to fans of other sports.
“I don’t think it’s fair for football fans to be singled out in that way,” Andy Burnham has declared this week, grabbing headlines in the process.
He continued: “I think that legislation dates to an era where football was very different, and I do believe there is a case to remove that discrimination.
“I’m not going to back away from what’s been a long-held view of mine. I don’t see how it can be fair that some supporters of one sport can be treated differently.”
The Prime Minister’s comments have been met with mixed response.
Andy Burnham wants to scrap the ‘unfair’ ban on drinking alcohol in football stands / Credit: James Kirkup | Julia Nastogadka (via Unsplash)
The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA), for example, has very much welcomed the idea, saying that it ‘totally agrees’ the legislation is ‘outdated’ and ‘deserves to be reviewed’.
Tom Greatrex, chair of the FSA, said in a statement: “The FSA has always argued that it’s unfair to criminalise football fans for having a pint while watching the match – especially since you can sit in the same seat drinking alcohol whilst watching an Oasis gig or rugby league.”
However, on the flip side, the UK Football Policing Unit said it would be ‘incredibly rash’ to change the rules without proper consultation.
“Other sports simply don’t see the violence and criminal behaviour from their supporters that football does, albeit a minority, with alcohol often playing a significant part in violent and disorderly behaviour,” it said in a statement on the matter.
The Prime Minister did state in his initial proposition though that ‘there are different ways it could be done’, hinting that it could be done ‘on a trial basis’ perhaps.
The English Football League (EFL) added that it would be ‘receptive to discussions around reviewing current legislation and permitting alcoholic drinks within view of the pitch’.
No formal details on a review have been confirmed as of yet, so fans are encouraged to stay tuned for updates in due course.
Emily Sergeant -
23rd May 2022 
