Brave members of the public have been praised for their efforts in helping detain a man who tried to kidnap a child on a busy street in Bolton.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that at around 6:30pm on Tuesday (21 February), police were called to reports of an attempted abduction on Mayor Street in Bolton – where a woman was walking with her child when she was approached by an unknown man who snatched her child from her and attempted to make off.
The child was said to have received “serious injuries”, of a nature not disclosed, during what police have described as an “incredibly distressing incident”.
Police have now thanked the “quick work and bravery” of intervening members of the public who assisted in detaining the man – who was later arrested by officers, and taken into custody for questioning.
A 23-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of kidnap, GMP confirmed.
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“This was an incredibly distressing incident during which a child received serious injuries,” explained Detective Inspector Tony Lunt, of GMP Bolton CID.
“Although these are thankfully not life-threatening, the mother of the child was understandably very shaken by the incident and is receiving support from specialist officers at this time.
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“I understand the concerns it will raise in the community but I would like to reassure you that this is being treated as an isolated incident and there is not believed to be any wider threat to the community. You will see increased patrols in the local area throughout the next few days so please approach our officers with any questions or concerns you may have.
“Whilst we have a man in custody, I want to assure you that our investigation does not stop here.”
Police thank public for helping detain a man who tried to kidnap a child in Bolton / Credit: GMP
Following the incident, GMP has now issued a public appeal for information and is asking that any witnesses or anyone with information gets in touch as a matter of urgency.
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“We are particularly interested in speaking to anyone who may have been in the area of Mayor Street in Bolton between 6:20pm and 6:40pm and who may have seen someone behaving suspiciously, but we’re also interested in any footage, including CCTV or dashcam, that you might have in relation to this incident.”
Think you may be able to help? You can get in touch by calling police on 0161 85 65757 quoting 2896 of 21/02/2023, or you can also make a report via the Live Chat function on GMP’s website here.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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Investigation launched after man ‘brutally’ murdered at Peak District stone circle on summer solstice
Emily Sergeant
A murder investigation has been launched after a man’s life was taken in ‘the most brutal way’ following a summer solstice event.
The investigation has been 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 has been named as Isaac Clare-Watts, from Nottingham, and police say his family are aware and are being supported by specialist officers.
Police are now searching to understand the circumstances around his death.
A 41-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident, and he remains in custody for questioning.
Investigators say they remain ‘keen’ to hear from anyone who was at the 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.
“I am urgently appealing for anyone who attended the summer solstice event over the weekend to please speak to officers as soon as they can,” commented Detective Inspector Tony Owen from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU), who is leading the investigation.
“A young man’s life has been taken in the most brutal way, so it is vital that myself and the team build up a clear picture of the exact circumstances surrounding his death and this is why we urgently need to speak to everyone who was at the scene over the weekend.
“You may have only been there briefly and think you can’t help but you could hold the key piece of information we need to understand what has happened and help us to get justice for this young man’s family.
“So I would ask, please, that if you attended the event, you contact us urgently so we can build up a picture of the event itself and what has led to this man’s death. I also really urge anyone who captured video footage from the event over the weekend to please come forward.
“You could play a key role in helping us with this murder investigation.”
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Prestigious Edinburgh TV Festival to move to Manchester for first time in 50 years
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester will become the new host city for the TV Festival from 2027 onwards it was announced today.
For the first time in five decades, following an extensive consultation and competitive bidding process – which was launched in 2025 – the prestigious festival is set to move from its home in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh to our region from 2027 onwards, beating out other major northern cities like Newcastle in the process.
As part of a UK-wide strategic review into the event’s long-term future, the Festival’s board of directors say the review was undertaken in order to ‘examine how the TV Festival could continue to grow’ amid increasing challenges around accessibility, affordability, and sustainability across the television industry.
Greater Manchester‘s ‘successful and comprehensive’ bid included commitments around affordability, infrastructure, industry partnership, and long-term growth potential.
Plans include holding the Festival in locations in the newly developed St. John’s creative and cultural district.
“Greater Manchester presented a vision for the Festival that combined genuine creative ambition and future-facing energy with practical accessibility and affordability for delegates,” commented Campbell Glennie, who is the CEO of the TV Festival and The TV Foundation.
“This means we can radically reduce the costs associated with attending the Festival as well as the cost of passes.
“The city reflects the expanding ambition of the UK television industry, while still offering the scale, connectivity and unique cultural identity needed for an event of this significance – it gives us the strongest platform to grow the Festival’s reach and impact in the years ahead.”
Cllr Bev Craig, who is the Leader of Manchester City Council, said being chosen as TV Festival hosts is ‘brilliant news’ for Greater Manchester, adding: “It speaks to the growth, success and strength of our screen sector in the city region and the strong partnerships and talent we have here.”
The final Edinburgh edition of the TV Festival will take place this August, and dates and further details for the TV Festival in 2027 will be shared later this year.
Emily Sergeant -
23rd February 2023 
