Greater Manchester Police are investigating after an unknown man approached a young girl and tried to run away with her.
The five-year-old child, who was thankfully unharmed, had been playing in Nuttall Park in Ramsbottom when the stranger attempted to pick her up.
The man ran away into the nearby wooded area, where the girl’s parents intervened.
The incident occurred at around 3pm on Sunday 12 February, with an investigation ongoing.
The child’s school, the nearby St. Andrew’s CE Primary School, also sent an email to parents to outline the incident so that the community could ‘be vigilant’, the Manchester Evening News reported.
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Detectives are now looking for a man who was seen the area, who is described as a tall, white male who was wearing black gloves, a red bobble hat, a black jacket and had a backpack on.
Nuttall Park in Ramsbottom. Credit: Geograph
Chief Inspector Ian Partington of GMP’s Bury District, said: “We understand that this incident has caused some concern in the community.
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“We thank the public for their patience and assistance so far, and ask that anyone with information should contact us first to aid our investigation.
“If you see the man described, call us on 101 quoting incident 1965 of the 12/2/2023.”
In the email seen by the MEN, the school’s headteacher Damian Marsh wrote: “An incident happened in Nuttall Park, Ramsbottom, yesterday (around 3pm) where a man attempted to grab one of the pupils from our Reception class.
“Mum managed to pull the child from him and the man ran away into the woods. The police were informed about the incident and are dealing with this.
“The man is described as: average build, quite tall, 40’s, stubble beard, wearing big black gloves. I have notified our school community so they are aware and can be vigilant.”
Other details can be passed to us via GMP’s LiveChat facility at www.gmp.police.uk or by calling 101.
Information can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Featured image: Wikimedia Commons
News
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Daisy Jackson -
14th February 2023 
