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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Altrincham named one of the UK’s best places to live in 2026 in The Sunday Times’ annual ranking
Emily Sergeant
A popular Greater Manchester town has been named among the UK’s best places to live by the Sunday Times in its annual ranking.
That’s right… it’s that time of year, once again.
The Sunday Times is known for pulling together a list of what it considers to be the most sought-after places to live in the UK every year, and 2026’s ranking has officially been published today – with dozens of locations across the country making up the comprehensive guide, and six of those coveted locations being right here in the North West.
The Sunday Times’s expert judges have visited all locations on the list, and assessed factors such as schools, transport, culture, broadband speeds, access to green spaces, the health of the high streets, and much more to devise the always-talked-about annual ranking.
Macclesfield in Cheshire, Eden Valley in Cumbria, Lancaster in Lancashire, and Aigburth in Liverpool are just some of the North West areas named by the publication in the 2026 list.
Altrincham has been named one of the best places to live in the UK / Credit: The Manc Group
A spotlight has also been shone on two Greater Manchester towns, and one of two has even been given the regional North West title… but which are they?
Where has taken the top spot as the best place to live in the North West for 2026, and is therefore one of the best places to live in the whole of the country? Well, that honour has been given to none other than Greater Manchester’s very-own Altrincham.
The publication described the Trafford town as ‘classy, cool and effortlessly comfortable’.
“Altrincham is a top-notch town brimming with independent businesses and big brands, and now it’s flying even higher,” The Sunday Times said.
The fact that co-working has now arrived on the high street thanks to the conversion of the old Rackhams department store, and that the town’s cultural and creative ‘cachet’ is also on the rise, have been highlighted as reasons as to why Altrincham has been chosen as the North West’s winner, as well its newly-flourishing fitness scene.
Of course, the town has also been praised for its transport links into Manchester city centre and across the region, as well as it being a great place for families thanks to the excellent local schools on offer.
Didsbury was the other Greater Manchester town chosen to represent the best of the North West – with the Manchester suburb described as being ‘stylish, solid, safe, and, yes, a little bit smug in parts… but that’s okay’.
You can read the full Altrincham feature here, and see where else The Sunday Times included in its list for 2026 here.
Featured Image – Geograph
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11 arrested and £70k cash seized during early-morning police drug raids across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
11 people have been arrested, as well as a large amount of cash and drugs seized, during early-morning raids across Greater Manchester.
The raids took place during the early hours of the morning yesterday (Thursday 19 March 2026), where Greater Manchester Police (GMP) successfully executed eight warrants simultaneously across Tameside, Oldham, and Rochdale to tackle a ‘suspected criminal network’ involved in the distribution of class A drugs and firearms.
Officers from Tameside Programme Challenger team, the District Intelligence Unit (DIU), and GMP’s Tactical Aid Unit (TAU) were deployed to each of the addresses.
Following weeks of intelligence gathering and preparation, a total of 11 people – each aged between 24 and 77 – were arrested on suspicion of drug-related offences during the raids.
Eight men and three women were arrested on suspicion of a range of offences, including conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs, being part of an organised crime group, possession with intent to supply, money laundering, and possession of an offensive weapon.
They all remain in police custody for questioning at this time, GMP confirmed.
During searches of the addresses, various class A, B and C drugs – including crack cocaine, heroin, cannabis, and nitrous oxide – were seized, while further recoveries of £70,000 in cash, a zombie knife, a BB gun, and four vehicles were also made at the same time.
Speaking following the success of the raids yesterday, Chief Superintendent Shan Nasim, District Commander for Tameside, said: “[This] operation has been a powerful example of our continued, determined effort to dismantle organised crime in our district and Greater Manchester.
“We have 11 people in custody being questioned by our investigation teams in relation to an organised crime group (OCG) that have been causing widespread harm across our communities.
“This action caused significant disruption of an organised crime group (OCG) and has prevented drugs and weapons from reaching the streets, as well as the associated harms that come hand in hand with organised crime.
“Organised criminals exploit vulnerable people and blight our communities; we will take robust action to catch offenders, keep our communities safe, and protect vulnerable people across Greater Manchester.”
Emily Sergeant -
14th August 2024 
