Greater Manchester Police have issued a statement about Alex Batty, as the missing boy from Oldham is found safe and well in France.
Alex, who is from Oldham, went missing when he was 11 years old, but was found by a member of the public near Toulouse this week – six years after disappearing.
The teenager had left the UK on 30 September 2017 for a family holiday to Spain. He was with his mother Melanie Batty (43), who did not have parental guardianship, and his grandfather David Batty (64).
Alex Batty didn’t come home from his trip as expected and despite extensive enquiries, remained missing until this week.
GMP has been working closely with the French authorities and with Alex’s family since he was spotted, and have now formally confirmed the 17-year-old to be Alex.
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The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office is now working on bringing him safely home to the UK.
Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sykes said in a statement today: “I think I speak on behalf of the whole of Greater Manchester Police when I say we were relieved and overjoyed to receive news from the French Authorities that they believe Alex Batty had been located safe and well, more than 6 years after his disappearance. This is a huge moment for Alex, for his family and for the community in Oldham.
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“Alex went missing whilst on holiday in 2017 when he was just 11 years old. On Wednesday, a member a public reported a potential sighting in the Toulouse area of France. The young man identified as Alex and was taken to a French police station.
Alex Batty has been found alive and well in Spain as GMP issue a statement. Credit: GMP
“The young man and Alex’s Grandmother spoke on a video call last night and whilst she is content that this is indeed Alex – we obviously have further checks to do when he returns to the country.
“Our main priority now is to see Alex returned home to his family in the UK and our investigation team has been working around the clock with partner agencies to ensure they are fully supported.
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“Alex and his family remain our focus – and we still have some work to do in establishing the full circumstances surrounding his disappearance and where he has been.
“I can only imagine the emotions they have experienced throughout this ordeal. I would ask that they be granted privacy as they come to terms with what has happened and as they try to find a way to move forwards with their lives together.”
Information can also be reported by calling 101 or via GMP’s website: www.gmp.police.uk.
You can also make a report anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Co-op Live confirms cancellations caused by part of air conditioning unit ‘falling from ceiling’
Daisy Jackson
The Co-op Live arena has confirmed the cause of tonight’s last-minute gig cancellation and subsequent postponement of future shows.
Reports said that an object had ‘fallen from the ceiling’ before doors to the public officially opened.
Co-op Live has now confirmed that ‘a component of the air conditioning system’ separated from the ductwork, and stressed that no one was injured.
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, the artist who was meant to perform tonight, had said that ‘something happened with the venue while I was at soundcheck today’.
Oak View Group, which owns the venue, said that it had ‘made the necessary call to ensure the full safety of all visitors to the venue to postpone the performance’.
Tim Leiweke, Chairman and CEO of Oak View Group said: “The safety and security of all visiting and working on Co-op Live is our utmost priority, and we could not and will not run any event until it is absolutely safe to do so.
“Today was a very unexpected situation but without a doubt the right decision.
“I deeply apologise for the impact that this has had on ticket holders and fans.”
It’s believed that the issue with the HVAC system was an isolated incident ’caused by a factory defect’.
Co-op Live said: “We were not able to verify that all similar nozzles were free of such defects.
“In conjunction with wider stakeholders, Oak View Group has made the necessary call to ensure the full safety of all visitors to the venue, and to postpone the performance.”
The rest of the nozzles inside the huge arena will now be tested for similar defects.
They said in a statement: “We understand the need to reassure fans over future shows. We are working with artist management and promoters to limit the impact on the opening season schedule.
“Where necessary, we will identify alternate dates, and will continually reassess to provide fans with sufficient notice regarding imminent shows.
“Should shows be cancelled or rescheduled, fans will be contacted by their point of purchase and offered a full refund where preferred.”
Olivia Rodrigo’s two Manchester shows at Co-op Live have been postponed
Daisy Jackson
Olivia Rodrigo’s shows at Co-op Live in Manchester have been postponed after a night of drama for the new arena.
The star was meant to bring her GUTS Tour to the city on Friday and Saturday night.
But the huge 23,500-capacity arena has now confirmed that both of these gigs will be postponed.
New dates will be announced as soon as they’re confirmed.
Co-op Live said in a statement: “Due to an on-going venue-related technical issue, the scheduled performances of Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS World Tour on 3rd and 4th May are being postponed.
“Ticket holders can either hold onto their tickets or obtain a refund from their point of purchase.
“We deeply apologise for the significant inconvenience this will cause for many.”
The massive arena was supposed to open for the first time to the public tonight with a performance by A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie.
Credit: Nick WalkerCredit: Larissa HofmannOlivia Rodrigo’s gigs in Manchester at Co-op Live have been postponed.
But it was called off at the eleventh hour, with fans turned away from the doors just minutes before they were meant to open.
Co-op Live has now confirmed that the reason for the cancellation was that a piece of the HVAC (air conditioning) system had ‘separated from the ductwork’.
Rigorous testing on the rest of the system now needs to take place before fans can safely be welcomed inside.
Olivia Rodrigo has yet to issue a statement about her Manchester shows on 3 and 4 May being postponed.
Daisy Jackson -
15th December 2023 
