Greater Manchester Police officers investigating a rape and three stabbings at a Trafford rave have released update tonight (July 15).
The incidents happened on Saturday evening after three illegal raves broke out across Greater Manchester. One in Trafford, one in Droylsden and one in Oldham. Over 7,000 people attended the raves in total – with reports of parents even dropping their kids off.
However, things quickly got out of hand, and shortly after 2.50am officers were called after reports that a woman had been raped by a man at Broad Oak Woods in Carrington, by a man who she is believed to have met earlier that night.
According to Greater Manchester Police, the man is thought to be aged between 20 and 25 and is described as a white man with a Salford accent, standing at 5ft 7/8ins tall with a medium build.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) June 15, 2020
He was believed to be “wearing what appeared to be a grey tracksuit and has dark blonde hair; short at the sides and with a longer fringe to one side,” it states on the official GMP website.
The statement continues: “No arrests have been made and specialist officers are supporting her at this time.
“Earlier that evening, an 18-year-old man was seriously assaulted and responding officers administered life-saving first aid at the scene before paramedics arrived.
“The man remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.”
There were also two other reported attacks that night in which two other men – aged 25 and 26 – were also injured but have since been discharged from hospital.
GMP’s statement continues: “An 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of section 18 assault and is in custody to be questioned by detectives.
“Police are also aware and are investigating a video on social media purporting to show three men and a woman wielding large bladed weapons close to the area where the rave is said to have taken place.
“Anyone who may have witnessed any of incidents, or have information in relation to them, is asked to contact the police or Crimestoppers to aid detectives’ enquiries.”
It is being stressed by police that no retrospective action will be taken on anybody who attended the raves and calls in with information – they simply want to focus all of their attention on the attacks that took place.
If you are one of the morons who attended one of the illegal raves in Partington and Daisy Nook last night, you are a disgrace. You’ve now put yourselves, your friends, your families and loved ones at risk. I’ve seen some of the footage. You aren’t clubbers. Just selfish idiots.
Detective Inspector Julian Scarsbrook, of GMP’s Trafford division, said: “This is an urgent appeal for information relating to the horrific rape of a woman and three vicious assaults – one of which almost cost a young man his life.
“While I – like the majority of the public – was shocked and dismayed at the scenes in Carrington on Saturday night, my interest is entirely focussed on investigating the serious crimes that took place that evening.
“I understand some people may be reluctant to contact police because they were present at the rave on Saturday and don’t want to land themselves in trouble, but I must stress that the severity of these crimes outweigh any self-interests people may possess.
“No one should feel deterred from providing the police or Crimestoppers with any information that they believe could have the slightest bit of relevance into finding those responsible for these assaults.
“If you saw anyone in possession of a potential weapon or noticed certain hostilities between groups that night, it is vitally important that you get in touch and provide us with as much information as possible.
“Information will be treated with the strictest confidence and I urge any witnesses or those with details that could aid our enquiries to do the right thing and contact us directly, or anonymously through Crimestoppers.”
Anyone with any information should call police on 0161 856 7573 quoting Operation Norfolk. Details can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Video footage can be uploaded via the following link: [email protected]
News
Jason Manford has final word on ‘naughty’ rule that sparked unexpected Village Hotel experience
Danny Jones
Local comedian Jason Manford has shared “the last I’ll say on the matter between The People vs The Village Hotel”, after expressing his disappointment over a rule that saw him have a somewhat unexpected experience at one of their locations.
The Salford-born and Stockport-based stand-up was forced to share his room with another individual at The Village in Bournemouth after being told the hotel was fully booked.
Manford‘s room had essentially been resold, which led him to stay in a double with his friend and colleague; however, as explained in multiple videos, not everyone was fortunate enough to secure a last-minute solution.
Still, on the upside, at least they didn’t have to share a bed…
As detailed in the first of three posts seen above, Manford and co. arrived at the hotel late (as is typically the case with any touring comedian, especially a headliner) following his gig at the Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre on Sunday, 29 June.
The 44-year-old is currently on his ‘A Manford All Seasons’ tour, which saw a flurry of new dates added back in November, and got underway back in February.
Although he assured that the staff did their job and were “lovely” through the whole ordeal, he reiterated that he found the little-known rule “very naughty” and “not on”.
He also mentioned that a doctor who arrived shortly after them at the hotel reception, sadly, had to be turned away from the Bournemouth branch.
Manford went on to add that the hotel manager did apologise for the situation, but as he notes in the clips, the worry is that it could cause even bigger dilemmas if it were a wedding, someone with kids, “or a million different situations that you could have been in which are much more serious than [his].”
Essentially, the duo were just lucky they turned up when they did and said as much.
Despite noting that he’d heard of airlines opting for similar policies in the past, he confessed he’d never come across such a rule in more than “25 years of touring” as a comic.
Echoing his frustration, surprise and concern, musician Georgina Jackson said in the comments: “That is so bad! As a touring lone female musician who uses hotels a lot, what are we expected to do? But the fact is… they don’t really care…
“Thanks for highlighting it, as they might actually start caring when the bookings drop off! And, I imagine the hotel/town was busy with your audience!! How blinking ironic!!”
The hotel group has since asked the Salfordian funny man to take the very public complaints down, but Manford has refused despite them requesting quite “politely”, insisting that he believes more people need to know about obscure and largely unknown rules like these.
You can see the most recent and final statement on the whole Jason Manford-Village Hotel situation in full down below.
Featured Images — University of Salford (via Flickr)/Jason Manford (screenshot via Facebook)
News
New immersive Race Across the World Experience comes to Manchester this summer
Thomas Melia
Hit BBC TV show Race Across the World is launching an interactive experience in Manchester this summer, inspired by the series.
After five original series and two celebrity spin-offs, it was only a matter of time before the huge TV show materialised into ‘Race Across the World: The Experience’.
Just like the real programme, you will be sent on a mission across the heart of the city centre where you will have to complete tasks and reach various checkpoints to be crowned champion.
The missions will see players visiting Manchester hotspots, lesser known locations, renowned pubs, and distinctive landmarks across three hours.
Teams will rely on our trusty Bee Network as they take a trip on our vibrant yellow trams and buses to get around the city as they make their way to each puzzle and activity.
At each puzzle destination, participants will complete a challenge to guide them to their next location, all of which is pre-planned and spread across a five kilometre city-wide voyage.
For Mancs and anyone further afield, ‘Race Across the World: The Experience’ offers a whole new way to explore Manchester and gives you the chance to see some of the city’s best hidden gems, even if you are on a time limit.
This sounds like a great idea for friends and family alike, and based off the amount of times we’ve had to sprint down to Platform 14 at Manchester Piccadilly, I think us Mancs were born for this challenge.
In true Race Across the World style, the team who manages to finish not just with the fastest time but with the most budget remaining too, will be the ultimate victor.
Cast of BBC’s Race Across the World / Credit: BBC / Studio Lambert
Tom Rymer, Founder of CityDays, said: “Following an outstanding debut month in London that has thrilled fans of the show, both old and new, we are bringing the Race Across The World Experience to Manchester.
“New puzzles, new characters, new decisions and new discoveries, all coming soon over three new thrilling legs. Manchester, are you ready for your race?”
A launch date for ‘Race Across the World: The Experience’ is yet to be released but eager entrants can sign up to the official waitlist and find out even more information HERE.
The Manc -
15th June 2020 
