A public appeal for information and witnesses has been issued following a series of rapes which took place across Manchester city centre.
Detectives from Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) Major Incident Team who have been leading the investigations into the horrific incidents – which are said to have occurred in the city centre between February and July 2024 – have already arrested a man in his 40s, but are now calling on the wider public for further assistance.
Mourad Malki was arrested on suspicion of rape on Sunday 21 July 2024, and later charged with 12 offences committed against three males and one female.
GMP says these offences included multiple rapes, sexual assault, and theft.
#ARREST | Detectives who have been investigating four separate rapes in the city centre dating back to February 2024, have now arrested a man in his 40s.
The suspect was arrested on Sunday 21 July 2024 and remains in police custody.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) July 21, 2024
It is believed that the 47-year-old had been primarily targeting intoxicated men, before raping them and taking their personal items.
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Malki is currently remanded in police custody awaiting trial.
Now, with the police investigation still ongoing, Detective Inspector Paul Davies, from GMP’s Major Incident Team, is appealing to the Greater Manchester public, to come forward if they witnessed anything or have any information.
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Police are appealing for information and witnesses after a series of rapes in Manchester city centre / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Firstly, I would like to express my gratitude to those who have already come forward and provided their accounts, as they have shown unbelievable courage and bravery,” DI Davies said in his appeal.
“We are continuing to support them now and throughout the investigation.
“I would urge anyone out there who may have witnessed, been a victim of, or has any information in connection with these horrific offences to please come forward. We are here to listen to you, are committed to obtaining justice, and can assure the community that any report received will be thoroughly investigated and dealt with in a sensitive manner.
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“Myself and the team have been in communication with the community and local businesses, providing reassurance and necessary updates and we are also working with partners such as St Mary’s sexual assault referral centre, and independent male victim’s charity, We Are Survivors, to provide victims with the best possible support throughout this investigation”.
#APPEAL | Officers leading a rape investigation are appealing for witnesses and information.
Detectives from our Major Incident Team are continuing to investigate a series of rapes that occurred in the city centre between February and July 2024.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of rape or sexual assault, you are encouraged not to suffer in silence and report it to the police by either calling 101 or 999 in an emergency, reporting information and crimes on GMP’s website www.gmp.police.uk, or alternatively, reporting information anonymously to Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.
There’s also lots of other organisations and support agencies available across Greater Manchester and nationally that can help and provide support.
You can visit GMP’s support pages to find the services available to you here.
Featured Image – GMP
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Manchester’s libraries to become ‘warm spaces’ with free hot drinks and WiFi this winter
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s libraries are set to become ‘warm welcome spaces’ offering free hot drinks and internet access to those in need again this winter.
After millions of local residents visited the ‘stigma-free safe spaces’ to escape and take refuge from the cold each year since they were first introduced in 2022, Manchester City Council has decided to reintroduce its popular ‘Warm Welcome Spaces’ scheme again this year during the chillier months.
All 22 of Manchester‘s public libraries are, once again, taking part in the scheme this time around.
Designed to ‘provide support to people who need it’ over some of the most challenging months of the year when temperatures drop, the Council’s scheme is offering a range of different services – and they’re all for free of charge.
Free hot drinks, WiFi and internet access, data SIM cards, and newspapers are just some of the things people can make the most of inside these ‘warm spaces’, as well as get access to information, advice, and extra signposting to other support services they made need in the city.
Manchester’s libraries will become ‘warm spaces’ with free hot drinks and WiFi again this winter / Credit: Haydon Waldeck | koolshooters (Pexels)
There will be age-friendly spaces to connect with others, story times once a week at 11am for children under five, and even weekly digital drop-ins too.
Manchester Central Library, Miles Platting Community Library, Hulme High Street Library, Beswick Library, Longsight Library, and Abraham Moss Library are just some of the libraries taking part this winter.
All 22 libraries will be free to enter, and the Council says people can stay in them ‘for as long as you like’.
“For many years, the Council has been a proud supporter of the Warm Welcome Spaces initiative,” explained Councillor Thomas Robinson, who is the Executive Member for Healthy Manchester and Adult Social Care at Manchester City Council.
“In Manchester we have been all too aware of the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and the hardships people have suffered as a result.
“It’s not an exaggeration to say this work has the potential to be lifesaving. The simple act of offering a person a safe place where they can interact with other Mancunians, to not feel alone or get the help they need, can have a lasting and meaningful impact.”
Find your local free ‘Warm Welcome Space’ in Manchester here.
Featured Image – RawPixel
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University fees set to increase in line with inflation but Government promises ‘better outcomes’ for students
Emily Sergeant
University tuition fees are set to increase in line with forecasted inflation for the next two academic years, the Government has announced.
Last year was the first year, since 2017, that tuition fees were increased in line with inflation, and now that the Office for Students is forecasting that 43% of institutions will be in deficit without further action to ‘shore up’ their finances, the Government has announced in its ‘landmark’ Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper – published this week – that fees will need to rise again.
To support universities in continuing to deliver world-class teaching and research, tuition fees will rise in line with forecast inflation for the next two academic years.
According to the Department for Education, legislation will then be brought forward, when parliamentary time allows, to enable automatic increases to fee caps in future years in line with inflation – but this will only be institutions that meet tough new quality thresholds set by the Office for Students.
Where standards are deemed to ‘fall short’, the Office for Students will then act quickly to stop the expansion of low-quality courses and will aim to hold providers to account.
University fees are set to increase in line with inflation for the next two years / Credit: PickPik
Universities that underperform could face financial and regulatory consequences, the Government has confirmed, as a way of ensuring public money is spent only on courses that deliver for students and the economy overall.
“Young people from all backgrounds feel they have been let down by a system that talks about opportunity but too often fails to deliver it,” commented Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, as the White Paper was published this week.
“Universities charge significant fees for their courses, but if they are going to charge the maximum, it is right that they deliver the world-class education students expect.
“These reforms will ensure value for money, higher standards across our universities and colleges and a renewed focus on the skills our economy needs.”
The Government has also said it will also work with universities and local authorities to ensure they offer ‘adequate accommodation’ for their students.
It will also support efforts to drive down the cost of living going forward.
Emily Sergeant -
14th August 2024 
