Officers have stepped up search operations for a missing Manchester man who left home one December evening last year and never returned.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed that Peter Baglin left home to go for a walk on the evening of Wednesday 28 December 2022, and was last seen on CCTV at a garage in Mosley Common near Worsley that same night – before his phone, hat, and headphones were found on a towpath beside the Bridgewater Canal the following day.
Peter’s wife, Michelle Baglin – who made a desperate plea for his return last month – reported him missing when he didn’t return home.
But since that day, just over two months later, there still haven’t been any sightings of him.
In the initial period after the 55-year-old was reported missing from what has been described as his “favourite walk”, extensive police searches were carried out along the canal towpath, between the Moorings and Astley Point, and adjoining fields and woodland areas – including by teams specialising in mountain rescue, underwater searches, and drones.
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Michelle has also organised her own searches along the Bridgewater Canal, which have seen hundreds turn out to help try and find him.
After no success with previous search efforts, GMP has confirmed that yesterday (2 March), the Police Search Advisors (POLSA) team have stepped up their searches by returning to the canal to carry out a further search, together with mountain rescuers searching the surrounding area, and the underwater dive team – with the drone having also been re-deployed.
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“These searches will continue over the next couple of days,” GMP confirmed.
CCTV images taken of Peter on the night of 28 December 2022 / Credit: GMP
Senior Investigating Officer Michael Sharples, from Salford’s CID, says the stepped-up search efforts are just one line of enquiry the team is following as “there is no evidence to suggest the whereabouts of Peter at this time.”
“At the time Peter went missing, there were extremely low temperatures and not much boat traffic on the water,” he continued.
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“This part of the canal is very unique, and as such, changes in temperature and the fact the season is changing, can impact on how the water behaves, so due to this, we have decided to carry out the search again, and we will also have the drone back in the air – which is used to access areas that are harder to reach on foot.
“Not only will we be carrying out these searches, but we will be looking for even more CCTV and ring doorbell footage.”
#UPDATE | Officers are continuing their search of missing Boothstown man, Peter Baglin, and are continuing to ask for the public's help in locating him.
He explained that GMP and specialist officers are continuing to work closely with Peter’s wife and his family, and added that they are “grateful to the multi-agency response” they’ve received over the last few weeks.
While GMP “continues to follow up on every lead given”, it has also reinforced its appeal to the public and is urging people to “take another look at any footage, just to be sure.”
Anyone with any information on Peter Baglin’s whereabouts is urged to contact GMP on 101 or through the LiveChat Function on the website, www.gmp.police.uk – but if you’re unsure about coming forwards, you can also pass information on anonymously through the independent charity, Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – Family Handout (via GMP)
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Manchester Metropolitan University announce landmark partnership with MCR Basketball
Danny Jones
Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) and Manchester Basketball have detailed a renewed and landmark partnership that looks set to nurture the next generation of talent.
Joining forces with MMU, this is not only the latest effort by MCR Basketball to further invest in young players and grassroots sports here in Manchester, but yet another example of further education creating viable routes into the game for their sporting stars of the future.
While the two organisations already boast an established relationship, this next step in their continued teamwork should prove even more fruitful for both parties, as the still only recently relaunched local basketball side looks to raise its profile in the city.
Confirming their intent to further intertwine their youth development setup and plans to innovate pathways for players, representatives from both met to confirm the announcement this week.
🤝 New partnership to drive basketball innovation & develop future talent. @ManMetUni & Manchester Basketball have announced a new strategic partnership to advance research, education and development of basketball to inspire the next generation of talent. #RepTheCity
With existing coaching staff already working between the two and both of the male and female training camps based over at Platt Lane Sports Complex, it only feels like a natural fit.
Moreover, this increased collaboration between the two is also a promising prospect for MMU Sport, specifically, meaning much more than just the sharing of facilities at the likes of Platt Lane over in Fallowfield and the National Basketball Performance Centre at Belle Vue.
As well as pooled resources, this will also crucially create potential opportunities for those at the uni or preparing to graduate, including student internships and more.
Claire Bradbury, Manchester Basketball CEO, said in an official statement: “As basketball in Manchester enters a new era, we’re excited to formalise our partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University.
“This is a true collaboration bringing together elite, professional basketball and leading academic sports expertise to create opportunities that support the development of players, staff and students.
Together we are investing in the future of basketball to grow the game in our region and working to establish the city of Manchester and Manchester Basketball as one of the leading basketball hubs in Europe.”
Man Met are looking pitch-perfect for the region’s leading ‘college ball’ feeder club, to use more American terminology, already.
Laura Hickman-Sparkes, MMU’s Head of Business Engagement and Partnerships at the Institute of Sport, went on to say: “Basketball is entering an incredibly exciting period, with growing participation, investment and visibility across Europe.”
For example, as well as the Super League Finals having been held at the AO Arena, the city is also most notably hosting a regular season NBA fixture at Co-op Live – a historic moment, to say the least.
“We’re delighted to be partnering with Manchester Basketball at such an important time and look forward to creating opportunities for our students”, she adds, “supporting innovation through research and helping to grow the game across Manchester and beyond.”
In other MMU Sport-related news, their very own ‘Visiting Professor’, who has only just retired from the professional circuit, is also set to fly the flag for the institution and disabled athletes across the country.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via Manchester Basketball/Peter Simmons)
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New Prime Minister Andy Burnham announces VAT cuts on household electricity bills over winter
Emily Sergeant
It’s been less than 24 hours since Andy Burnham officially became Prime Minister, and he’s already announced his first measure.
After giving his first speech as Prime Minister outside the doors of Number 10 yesterday, where he said he intended to ‘give people some breathing space’ straight out the gate, it has now been announced that millions of households across the UK will benefit from immediate action to help with their electricity bills this winter.
The Government says it wants to address the cost of living crisis first and foremost, and will do this by tackling rising bills with a tax cut to remove VAT from domestic electricity bills from 1 October, just in time to impact the next Ofgem price cap.
This immediate action applies and is funded for this financial year.
The cost of this immediate action for this financial year is being funded from the £1.8bn Digital ID programme – which Burnham also announced he would be scrapping.
Any further action – including on funding for longer-term measures – will be taken at the Budget, alongside an Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecast, and all decisions at that point will continue to be funded with the Government’s fiscal rules, it has been confirmed.
Cutting VAT on electricity bills is expected to take around £45 off the yearly Ofgem price cap in October, and this is on top of the £150 removed from bills at the last Budget.
All suppliers are expected to pass the VAT reduction on to all customers, including those on fixed tariffs.
Small businesses who qualify for the domestic energy VAT relief and are not registered for VAT, as well as charities and residential care homes eligible for the reduced rate, will also benefit.
“I said I wanted to give people breathing space, and that’s what I’m announcing on my second day as Prime Minister. We’re taking immediate action to cut taxes on energy bills, put more money in people’s pockets, and bring back hope.”
Emily Sergeant -
3rd March 2023 
