Greater Manchester Police has issued an urgent warning to local residents about burglars who aren’t breaking into homes, but are instead, tricking their way in by posing as tradespeople.
In a statement shared yesterday, GMP explained that they are seeing a recent rise in bogus callers who will pretend to be visiting the victim’s home on official business, such as a salesperson from a utility company, or there to do work on their house.
The force used a recent incident in the Trafford area to highlight the case.
GMP explained that, in this case, the offender gained entry to an address under the guise of carrying out decorating at the property, and it came after the victim had seen a recommendation for his services on social media.
However while there, the offender took £3,000 worth of jewellery.
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Bogus callers may pretend to be a salesperson, from a utility company or a tradesperson in order to gain access to your house and steal your belongings.
“Most people who call at your home will be genuine,” admitted Detective Chief Inspector Joe Harrop, of GMP’s Economic and Cyber Crime Unit
“However it’s important to remain vigilant and not feel pressured when answering the door to someone you don’t know, it’s also important when hiring tradespeople, to take recommendations from people you trust or get references from past customers.”
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With the recent rise in incidents such as the one referenced, GMP has issued some simple steps people can do to protect themselves from these bogus callers:
Always lock your doors, even when you’re at home.
Ask for identification before letting anyone you don’t know into your house.
Check credentials, including a permanent business address and landline telephone number.
If you need work done to your home, get several written quotes from trustworthy or recommended firms, then decide who is right for you.
“Remember – if in doubt, keep them out,” DCI Harrop concluded.
If you find yourself with any suspicions that someone may be a bogus caller, GMP is urging people to contact them 101, make a report online at www.gmp.police.uk, and always call 99 in an emergency.
Man named and charged with ‘brutal’ murder at Peak District stone circle on summer solstice
Emily Sergeant
A man has been formally named as he’s charged with murder after a man’s life was taken in ‘the most brutal way’ following a summer solstice event.
He has been named as Szymon Babynko – a 23-year-old Polish national who now lives in London.
Babynko was named as part of an ongoing investigation, which was launched after Derbyshire Police were called to reports of a man’s body being found at Nine Ladies Stone Circle in the Peak District at 1:38pm on Monday 22 June, and when emergency services attended the scene, a 26-year-old man was found and pronounced dead.
The man was identified as Isaac Clare-Watts, from Nottingham, with police assuring his family are being supported by specialist officers.
Babynko was arrested on Thursday 25 June in connection with the incident, before being charged with murder today (29 June).
He has also been charged with attempted murder in relation to another incident on Hady Lane in Chesterfield on Thursday 25 June, the same day he was arrested.
Investigators say they still remain ‘keen’ to hear from anyone who was at the stone circle site over the weekend – which was notably the weekend of the summer solstice – as well as anyone with video footage from the event, and dashcam footage of vehicles arriving and leaving over the weekend.
A Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) has been set up where members of the public can send information to police directly.
Babynko has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Derby Magistrates Court this week, with more updates on the case to follow.
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
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Man jailed after violently assaulting two female police officers at Manchester Airport
Emily Sergeant
A man who assaulted two female police officers at Manchester Airport in a high-profile case back in 2024 has now been jailed.
PCs Lydia Ward and Ellie Cook – who each have eight years of experience and service at Greater Manchester Police (GMP) – were part of a team of officers based at Manchester Airport who responded to a report of a headbutt in Terminal 2 on the evening of 23 July 2024.
When officers went to arrest the man, named as 21-year-old Mohammed Fahir Amaaz from Rochdale, he initially resisted before turning and attacking police.
During the shocking incident, PC Ward – an unarmed officer – suffered a broken nose after being subjected to actual bodily harm by Amaaz, while PC Cook, who was armed, suffered an injured jaw after being assaulted.
Many may remember that a short clip of the incident – which was recorded by a bystander – went viral after it was uploaded to social media without any wider context, leading to the officers involved becoming subjected to online abuse and condemnation.
A CCTV image of the brawl in action / Credit: CPS
PC Ward described the whole situation as ‘so confusing’.
“I have never seen anyone so violent,” she added in a victim impact statement. “I have never been so scared. It was utterly terrifying.”
PC Cook explained that she was left ‘traumatised by the incident’, adding: “I hate that we were judged by everyone. We were just doing a job – we were trying to protect the public.”
Last week (Friday 26 June), Amaaz appeared at Liverpool Crown Court where he has sentenced to three and a half years in jail for his role in the incident.
Speaking on the sentencing, GMP’s Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson commented: “This incident began after a man was headbutted in a public place in front of his family.
“Our officers were responding quickly to precisely the sort of outrageous criminal behaviour that rightly offends the public. In undertaking their duties, officers were met with resistance and violence, followed by online vilification, condemnation and adverse commentary from those who did not have the full facts.
Read more:
Rochdale man, 20, found guilty of assaulting police officers at Manchester Airport
“It is vital that officers get the respect and support they deserve for routinely putting themselves in harm’s way to protect the public.
“Assaults on police officers are sadly all too common – 35 of my officers are assaulted every week across GM – and such incidents can never be justified.”
Emily Sergeant -
19th January 2022 
