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Police arrest four Just Stop Oil protesters near Manchester Airport

They were arrested on suspicion of conspiring to cause a public nuisance.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 6th August 2024

A group of Just Stop Oil protesters were arrested near Manchester Airport yesterday, it has been confirmed.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that officers from the force’s Specialist Operations Branch, supported by detectives from the Serious Crime Division, attended an incident yesterday morning (Monday 5 August 2024) near to Manchester Airport, and four people were subsequently arrested.

Three women aged 21, 30, and 53, and a man aged 23, were detained following a “proactive police operation” and arrested on suspicion of conspiring to cause a public nuisance.

GMP also stated that the four people arrested were found to be in possession of items that police believe would have been used to cause “damage” and “significant disruption” to the Airport and its operations.

The four individuals remain in police custody for questioning, and enquiries are currently ongoing.

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“We have been working hard with colleagues from Manchester Airport and police forces across the country, sharing intelligence, with the common goal to prevent these disruptive and targeted attacks on our airports,” commented GMP’s Head of Specialist Operations, Chief Superintendent Mark Dexter, following the arrests.

Police have arrested four Just Stop Oil protesters near Manchester Airport / Credit: Wikimedia Commons

“The right to protest must be respected, but we have a duty to balance that right against the rights of the public to go about their lives without being subject to unacceptable disruption, and will undertake swift and decisive action to arrest those intent on causing disturbances.”

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CS Dexter said these arrests have “no doubt” prevented a “determined and targeted attack”.

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He added that the protesters actions would have brought “significant delays and upset” to people heading off for their summer holidays, if police action wasn’t taken.

Featured Image –

News

Tributes paid to ‘much-loved’ Manchester firefighter who died unexpectedly last week

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Tributes have been paid to a ‘much-loved’ Manchester firefighter who died unexpectedly at his home last week.

Francois Childs, who was better known as ‘Frankie’ to his friends and family, served on Green Watch at Broughton Community Fire Station in Salford, where he had been based since joining Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service (GMFRS) in January 2018.

Frankie joined GMFRS following a career in banking, and serving with the machine gun platoon of the Bury Fusiliers.

But the 44-year-old sadly passed away “suddenly and unexpectedly” at his home in Prestwich last Tuesday (3 September).

The former Army reservist leaves behind wife Sarah, two children, his parents, and three brothers.

As well as being a dedicated GMFRS firefighter, Frankie was also one of 12 Fire Brigade Union (FBU) members who volunteered their time to travel to France to support the Care 4 Calais Charity back in November of 2023. 

Paying tribute to Frankie following his sad passing, Sarah Nattrass, who is the Assistant Chief Fire Officer and Director of Service Delivery at GMFRS, said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the sudden death of one of our colleagues and share our heartfelt condolences with Frankie’s family, friends, and colleagues.

“Frankie was part of our GMFRS family for more than six years as a much-loved member of Green Watch, Broughton, and he will be very sadly missed by all his friends and colleagues.”

The FBU has also paid a touching tribute.

“The charity could not provide this support without dedicated and caring people like Frankie,” an FBU spokesperson said.

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“His support will not be forgotten by the FBU or by the many people his efforts undoubtedly helped contributed to making refugees lives better.”

Featured Image – GMFRS

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US rapper Ice Spice to play massive Manchester show next month on her Y2K World Tour

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Things are about to get a whole lot chillier in Manchester next month, as Ice Spice is set for a massive show in our city.

Fresh off-the-back of headlining Wireless Festival in July, the princess of rap is coming back to the UK next month, and will be bringing the world of Y2K to Manchester, taking over one of the city’s most iconic venues.

Ice Spice, who is most notable for her heavy-hitting beats and collaborations with acts like Nicki Minaj and PinkPantheress, will be arriving in Manchester in a couple of weeks time for the first of three UK dates on her world tour.

After stopping off in Manchester, the rapper will also performing in Birmingham and London in November, so us Mancs need to set the bar high first.

The 24-year-old only came onto the rap scene three years ago, and since then has seen herself become a social media music phenomenon – with each drop gaining more traction than the last.

Her recent single ‘Did It First’ features UK drill artist Central Cee, who joined her on stage at Wireless Festival as part of her headlining slot this July, where she wowed a crowd of 50,000.

‘Y2K’ is the name of the rapper’s debut album, not to be confused with the early noughties fashion resurgence of the same name. However, the real meaning behind the project’s name is due to the American star being born on 1 January 2000.

She may only be 5ft 3, but Ice Spice sure packs a punch, and if it’s not her fiery orange hair, then it’s her carefree stage presence that sets her apart from the rest.

O2 Victoria Warehouse has been a hotspot for many artists including Mabel, Aitch and Becky Hill since its rebrand in 2018, and now the 3,500 capacity venue will be housing The Bronx native Ice Spice on Wednesday 30 October.

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Tickets are now on sale, with a general admission ticket setting you back £58.35, but there’s also the option to purchase a meet and greet package for £216.35.

Grab tickets here.

Featured Image – Ice Spice (via Instagram)

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