Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has issued a public appeal for information to help find a young woman and man whose welfare they are “concerned” for.
The release of the appeal and accompanying CCTV images come after a member of the public called police in Tameside shortly after 11pm on Monday night to report that they had seen a young woman forced into the back of a small silver car by a man close to the Dog and Partridge pub on Taunton Road in Ashton-under-Lyne.
GMP explains that officers’ enquiries so far have suggested that the pair may have had an argument in the moments prior to the incident occurring.
The car was then seen driving off towards the direction of Oldham.
Detectives from Ashton CID are now “working to establish the circumstances”, GMP confirms, but said they are keen to stress that their priority is to ensure the welfare of the woman and man involved in the incident.
ADVERTISEMENT
CCTV footage trawls have been ongoing throughout the day, and GMP says that this extensive work will continue.
By releasing images captured from CCTV, detectives say they are hopeful that someone may be able to recognise the two people involved, or recall if they witnessed anything in the area last night, to assist with ongoing investigations.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Our absolute priority here is the welfare of the young woman and man involved in this incident after we received a concerning call from a member of the public about what they had seen,” explained Detective Superintendent Richard Hunt, of GMP’s Tameside district.
“We’re moving as quickly as we can to establish who the pair are and where they could be now to ensure they are safe and well.
“We know the images we’ve been able to release so far are not of ideal quality, but we do hope that there will be someone who may recognise them – either personally or who may have witnessed them last night – and is able to get in touch with us to help progress our fast-moving enquiries.”
Detectives say they are hopeful someone may recognise the two people involved / Credit: GMP
Greater Manchester Police says it is also keen to hear from anyone who may have been driving on Taunton Road and Oldham Road around the Dog and Partridge pub too, as any possible sightings or dashcam footage involving the car “could be crucial”.
Anyone with any information can call police on 0161 856 9262 or use the LiveChat facility on the GMP website quoting incident 4013 of 15/08/2022.
Details can also be anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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.
Emily Sergeant -
17th August 2022 
