A police investigation has been launched following the death of a 17-year-old girl who was reported missing in Tameside.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that enquiries led them to an address on Whalley Close, in Ashton-under-Lyne, at around 9am on Sunday 21 September, but despite the best efforts of all emergency service workers involved, the girl sadly died at the scene.
Formal identification has not yet taken place, but police do believe it is 17-year-old Catherine, who was reported missing on Saturday.
Her next of kin has been informed, and officers are supporting them.
At this time, investigating officers say that her cause of death remains ‘unclear’, but detectives are ‘keeping an open mind’.
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A 55-year-old man has also been arrested on suspicion of murder, and he remains in police custody for questioning.
#ARREST | An investigation has been launched following the death of a 17-year-old girl in Ashton-under-Lyne who was reported as a missing person.
A 55-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder. He remains in police custody.
Police are now appealing to the public, and are urging anyone with information, no matter how small it might seem, to get in touch and help with enquiries.
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“Firstly, our thoughts are with the family and friends of the young person who has tragically lost their life, who we sadly believe was missing Catherine,” commented Detective Chief Inspector Anna Barker.
“Although we have a man in custody, our investigation team is keeping an open mind and are following several lines of enquiry. We are trying to get all the answers we can for the family of this young person who is at the forefront of the investigation team’s mind.
“A scene will remain in place while officers conduct their investigation, and if you have any concerns, please speak to an officer who will listen to you.”
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Appeals have now been issued for anyone who may have been in the Whalley Close area on the Saturday and early hours of Sunday morning.
“Every piece of information, no matter how small it might seem, helps us build a clearer picture in this investigation,” DCI Barker added.
“Anyone who has any information, CCTV, mobile phone or Ring doorbell footage is urged to contact police on 0161 856 9307, quoting the log number 802 of 21/09/2025, or online via gmp.police.uk.”
Information can also be shared anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
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Premier League Darts is returning to Manchester’s AO Arena in 2027
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Premier League Darts is confirmed to be returning to Manchester next year.
Now’s your chance to see the youngest world champion in darts history, AKA Warrington’s very-own Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler, show us how it’s done, as next year’s BetMGM Premier League Darts lineup has just been announced this week – with various dates confirmed across 17 different cities in the UK and Europe.
And Manchester is one of those cities, as the AO Arena has shared that they are set to host an evening next April, and we couldn’t be more excited about it.
This means that we will be lucky enough to witness the biggest names in world darts all under one roof, including headliners Gian van Veen and Luke Humphries, as well as Littler.
Manchester is the only northern city to get the pleasure of hosting the event next year, as Liverpool is also on the lineup, as is Leeds, Sheffield, and Newcastle, while elsewhere in the UK, the stars will travel to Glasgow, Birmingham, London, and several other major locations.
BetMGM Premier League Darts is to be held on Thursday 8 April at the AO Arena in Manchester, and to avoid being disappointed, fans are advised to register for presale ticket access.
Following a successful season of events in 2026, tickets are expected to be like gold-dust, so don’t say you haven’t been warned.
To access the first wave of tickets, fans must become an active PDCTV Annual Member before 23:59pm on Friday 9 October. Alternatively, general sale is on Thursday 22 October 2026, but make sure not to hang about.
Featured Image – Sandro Halank (via Wikimedia Commons)
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Andy Burnham wants to scrap the ‘unfair’ ban on drinking alcohol in football stands
Emily Sergeant
Andy Burnham has claimed he wants to scrap the ‘unfair’ ban on fans getting to drink alcohol in football stands.
It’s a ban that’s been in place in the top five tiers of men’s football since 1985, when fears over violence and hooliganism were at their height, but now the Prime Minister has raised the question of whether drinking in football stands – or ‘drinking in sight / view of the pitch’, as it’s known formally – is actually unjust, due to the fact that same rules don’t apply to fans of other sports.
“I don’t think it’s fair for football fans to be singled out in that way,” Andy Burnham has declared this week, grabbing headlines in the process.
He continued: “I think that legislation dates to an era where football was very different, and I do believe there is a case to remove that discrimination.
“I’m not going to back away from what’s been a long-held view of mine. I don’t see how it can be fair that some supporters of one sport can be treated differently.”
The Prime Minister’s comments have been met with mixed response.
Andy Burnham wants to scrap the ‘unfair’ ban on drinking alcohol in football stands / Credit: James Kirkup | Julia Nastogadka (via Unsplash)
The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA), for example, has very much welcomed the idea, saying that it ‘totally agrees’ the legislation is ‘outdated’ and ‘deserves to be reviewed’.
Tom Greatrex, chair of the FSA, said in a statement: “The FSA has always argued that it’s unfair to criminalise football fans for having a pint while watching the match – especially since you can sit in the same seat drinking alcohol whilst watching an Oasis gig or rugby league.”
However, on the flip side, the UK Football Policing Unit said it would be ‘incredibly rash’ to change the rules without proper consultation.
“Other sports simply don’t see the violence and criminal behaviour from their supporters that football does, albeit a minority, with alcohol often playing a significant part in violent and disorderly behaviour,” it said in a statement on the matter.
The Prime Minister did state in his initial proposition though that ‘there are different ways it could be done’, hinting that it could be done ‘on a trial basis’ perhaps.
The English Football League (EFL) added that it would be ‘receptive to discussions around reviewing current legislation and permitting alcoholic drinks within view of the pitch’.
No formal details on a review have been confirmed as of yet, so fans are encouraged to stay tuned for updates in due course.
Emily Sergeant -
23rd September 2025 
