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.
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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.
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“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.
Homeless children in Greater Manchester will now get free bus travel to and from school
Emily Sergeant
Children who are currently living in temporary housing in Greater Manchester are set to get extra support with school travel.
In a move that was announced by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) at the end of last week, and following years of campaigning, homeless children living in temporary accommodation are now set to get free school travel on all Bee Network buses.
TfGM says it understands that some children end up a long way from their school when placed into temporary accommodation, and this leaves parents or carers with the difficult choice of either having to move them to a closer school, which ultimately disrupts their education, or having to pay unexpected travel costs.
While the Greater Manchester Strategy – which is the plan for the city region’s next decade – commits to reducing the number of families and children in temporary accommodation, and measures are also being taken to make sure residents have the support they need to ‘access, improve, and retain’ a decent, affordable home, this doesn’t tackle the immediate issue.
Homeless children in Greater Manchester will now get free school bus travel / Credit: TfGM
So, to help those families when they ‘need it most’, free bus travel to and from school is set to be provided, as subject to approval of this year’s Combined Authority budget.
The move comes after Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham asked TfGM last year to look at options to help with the cost of travel.
“Using our locally-controlled Bee Network buses to support families when they need it most is the right thing to do,” Andy Burnham commented.
Of course, the long-term solution is no kids in TA and we’re working with our councils to achieve this in the next few years.
We can do it because GM will soon hit the point where we are building more council and social homes every year than we’re losing through right-to-buy. 👍🏻
“A move into temporary accommodation is often a massive upheaval for families and can be a worrying time. With this measure, the cost of travel to school will be one less thing for families to worry about.
“It will mean parents and carers don’t have to choose between an extra demand on their household budget and keeping their children with friends and teachers they know and trust.”
TfGM will now work with local Councils across the region to agree the details and implement the scheme this year.
Further details are set to be announced in due course.
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Greater Manchester restaurant speaks out after being paid a visit by Nigel Farage
Daisy Jackson
A restaurant in Greater Manchester has issued a lengthy statement after it was paid a visit by Nigel Farage on his campaign trail.
Vault 2, a family-run business in Denton, has said that it’s been bombarded with negative messages since the Reform party leader was photographed inside the restaurant.
Farage had made appearances at a number of local businesses in Tameside, alongside the party’s candidate, Matt Goodwin.
Vault 2 stressed in its statement about Nigel Farage that it is ‘a restaurant, not a political platform’, adding: “We hold no prejudice toward anyone – regardless of political views, race, background, creed, or beliefs. Everyone is welcome through our doors, and anyone may privately hire our venue. That has always been the case and will remain so.”
The restaurant also clarified that it was not a hosted event that Farage attended, nor were they endorsing or supporting him by allowing him to ‘call in’.
Vault 2 added: “It is genuinely upsetting, after everything we have done – and continue to do – for this town, to receive accusations of favouritism or messages saying you’ll never visit us again based on this.”
The restaurant then said that it takes ‘no political stance, shows no favour, and aligns with no party’ – though critics have pointed out that its Facebook page had shared a Reform post just before making this statement.
Inside Vault 2 last yearFood at Vault 2Vault 2 has issued a statement about the Nigel Farage visit. Credit: The Manc
Vault 2 signed off its statement by saying: “Whether you vote left, right, centre, or not at all — you are welcome here. Food first. Hospitality always. Thank you x.”
One person commented on the post: “If your doors are open to fascists, then your doors are closed to their targets. I sincerely hope your business suffers for it.”
Another said: “How can you ‘create a welcoming space’ if you welcome people whose aim to create the exact opposite.”
And someone else said: “This would be more believable if you weren’t liking Reform posts on Facebook. If you take no political stance and align with no party, maybe don’t like posts about Goodwin from your business account. We see you.”
But several people showed support for Vault 2, with one writing: “Well said – shame on those sending negativity – the keyboard warriors need to take a break and disappear!”
Vault 2’s statement in full addressing the visit from Nigel Farage. Credit: Instagram @vault2_barandbistro
Emily Sergeant -
17th August 2022 
