Police in Rochdale have issued a public appeal for information and witnesses after a teenager was left injured when a “large scale disorder” broke out earlier this week.
At around 10:30pm on Monday evening, (3 April) officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called to reports of large scale disorder involving over a dozen people on the Tweedale Street junction of Boundary Street in Rochdale.
It’s believed that 14 people were involved in the disorder, according to GMP, and were seen to be carrying and using weapons as part of the attack.
The group were said to have vacated from the area as other members of the public came over to them.
GMP confirmed that a 16-year-old male suffered injuries during the disorder, and was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment shortly after, where he still remains.
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A 16-year-old youth was arrested yesterday morning on suspicion of Section 18 assault.
With an investigation having now been launched to establish the identities of the people involved and the circumstances of this incident, GMP has spoken out to reassure the Rochdale community and confirm to residents that increased police patrols will be in the area.
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“I would like to reassure the public that this incident last night has certainly not gone unnoticed and we are actively pursuing all lines on enquiry to establish the circumstances of this incident,” said GMP Rochdale’s District Commander, Chief Superintendent Nicky Porter.
“We are also aware that this incident has understandably caused some concern in the local area.
“You will see an increased the number of officers on patrol around the local area to help provide reassurance and they are more than happy to provide a listening ear to any concerns or information you may have about any crimes or issues in your area.
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“Rochdale has a very strong community spirit, and our friends, families, neighbours and communities that live and work in the borough are disheartened by the violence displayed last night.”
The Tweedale Street junction of Boundary Street in Rochdale / Credit: Google Maps
Chief Superintendent Nicky Porter also confirmed that GMP will continue to work together with the Rochdale Council, local partners, and as one community to “ensure people feel safe and go about their daily lives, without fearing violence.”
GMP is also urging the public to come forward with any information, CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage that they may have regarding last night’s incident.
“Even if you think your piece of information is insignificant, it could be a huge help to our ongoing investigations.”
Anyone with any information can either report it to GMP directly by calling 101 quoting log 3921 of 03/04/2023, can do so online at www.gmp.police.uk, or alternatively, you can report anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – Google Maps
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Manchester locals appealing for more information over a month after from finding family member’s body
Danny Jones
A Greater Manchester family are still calling for more information now over a month on from the discovery of a man’s body at his Chorlton home.
William Riddell, 49, was found dead in the bedroom of a property on Astbury Avenue at approximately 11:35pm on Sunday, 10 November after being found by his stepdaughter, Sarah Hayden.
Details surrounding his passing are still scarce but a 47-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder but has since been released on bail “pending further enquiries”, leaving Sarah and the rest of her family still none the wiser as to the exact nature of his death.
Preparing to spend their first Christmas without him, they have issued a desperate appeal for more information, urging anyone who might have information to come forward.
#APPEAL | The family of a man who died last month are appealing to the public for information as they face their first Christmas without him.
Billy Riddell was sadly found dead at his property in Manchester, with enquiries continuing.
Riddell, more commonly known as Billy by those close to him, was described as a “good, caring man with a big heart” and a popular figure in the local area.
Speaking via Greater Manchester Police, Sarah, said: “I want to be Billy’s voice and get answers for him. Billy was a nice and lovely man and all the community knew who he was. He was well-liked and we gave him a good send-off at his funeral.
“I would just ask anyone who knew him or has any information to come forward and tell police. Even if you think it’s a little or small thing – please come forward. We just want to get to the bottom of what has happened.”
Detective Inspector Alex Wilkinson, who serves on GMP‘s Major Incident Team, added in an official statement: “The family of Billy deserve answers following his death and we are working hard to ensure they get exactly that.
“We have closely supported Sarah and the wider family over the last month, and we will continue to provide assistance wherever we can as they face their first Christmas without him.
“While a suspect has been bailed, we are still working flat-out to understand more about Billy’s life, the people he was close to, and events leading up to his death just over a month ago.”
With that in mind, both GMP and Riddell’s family are asking anyone who might know anything or have information regarding people associated with Billy to come forward, reiterating that “even if you consider something to be small – your help could greatly benefit our investigation.”
You can contact police via 101 or by using the live chat function HERE, quoting log 3227 of 10/11/24.
Alternatively, you can contact the UK’s independent charity, Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online.
Government aims to ‘turn the tide’ on homelessness with £1 billion funding boost
Emily Sergeant
Nearly £1 billion of funding is being pumped into Council budgets to help “break the cycle of spiralling homelessness” in 2025.
As part of the Government‘s wider ‘Plan For Change’, and in a bid to help tackle, reduce, and prevent homelessness next year, it’s been announced that more resources will be be made available for workers on the frontline who provide essential services to get rough sleepers off the street and into secure housing.
This significant investment means Councils will now be “better equipped” to step in early and stop households from becoming homeless in the first place.
According to the Government’s plans, these funded measures will include mediation with landlords or families to prevent evictions, helping homeless people find new homes, and providing deposits to access private renting.
This government is determined to tackle, reduce and prevent homelessness.
— Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Gov (@mhclg) December 18, 2024
The funding will also be used to address the growing use of B&Bs and nightly-let accommodation, and the streamlining of funding structures to make it easier for Councils to spend their cash.
Areas across the UK can also choose to channel resources into services such as Housing First.
Housing First has been massively successful in Greater Manchester, and has helped house hundreds of our region’s rough sleepers since it was first piloted, being described as “life-changing” along the way.
More than £633 million of the funding will be allocated for the Homelessness Prevention Grant – which is a £192 million increase from this year – while £185.6 million will go to the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant, more than £37 million to the Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme, and £5 million will be for the Emergency Accommodation Reduction Pilots.
This new £1 billion funding boost comes after it was announced back in September that Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions will be abolished in England next year as part of the landmark Renters’ Rights Bill.
It will also look to support the Government’s ambition to deliver the biggest increase in social and affordable housing in a generation – with an extra £500 million ploughed into the Affordable Homes Programme to build tens of thousands of affordable homes across the country.
Emily Sergeant -
5th April 2023 
