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Police urge Greater Manchester public for help in identifying ‘violent disorder’ suspects

"Get in touch and do the right thing."

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 20th August 2024

The Greater Manchester public is being urged to help identify suspects who took part in “violent disorder” earlier this month.

After widespread far-right protests and counter-demonstrations took place in towns and cities throughout the UK, following the devastating killing of three young girls and the injuring of several others during a knife attack in the Merseyside seaside town of Southport at the end of last month, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) says it needs help in identifying its arrested suspects.

Hundreds of people have been detained and arrested by police nationwide over the last few weeks following the riots – including more than 100 here in Greater Manchester.

A Bolton man, 18, also became the first in the UK to be jailed for his involvement.

With several live appeals running, and investigations currently ongoing, GMP says its team of detectives and dedicated specialist officers have been “working hard around the clock” and taking “swift action” to identify and arrest those involved, but still needs the public’s help.

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“If you know or recognise anyone in the images, please continue to get in touch and do the right thing,” GMP said in its public appeal issued this week.

Assistant Chief Constable Colin McFarlane said GMP is “using all of [its] powers” to identify and arrest people.

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“These individuals were warned that they would face the full force of the law if they incited violence or took part in the violent disorder that we have seen over the last few weeks,” he explained. “And this remains as we are identifying more and more individuals who we are arresting and putting before the courts.

Greater Manchester Police has issued a statement as rumours of 'planned unrest' swirl. Credit: GMP
Police are urging the Greater Manchester public for help in identifying ‘violent disorder’ suspects / Credit: GMP

“A lot of work goes on behind the scenes following large-scale events of disorder, with officers and staff having been trawling through hundreds of hours of CCTV, phone footage, and officer’s body worn video footage to identify individuals involved.

“We are then working to build strong cases to take to court, their hard work has resulted in the arrests of 101 suspects to date and it’s work that they should be proud of.”

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ACC McFarlane says GMP is also appealing to anyone who has information or video footage of those involved to come forward.

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Dedicated portals for each incident have been set up on GMP’s website here.

Featured Image – GMP

News

A Greater Manchester town could be set to get a train station for the first time in 60 years

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

It’s been a whopping six decades, but the residents of one local town could soon be able to hop on a train out of there.

That’s because a planning application for a brand-new £32 million station in Golborne – which would connect the Greater Manchester town, in the Wigan borough, to the rail network for the first time in more than 60 years – has been submitted to Wigan Council, meaning connectivity is finally one step closer to becoming reality.

In case you didn’t know, Golborne currently has no direct bus, train, or tram services to Manchester, and Leigh is the biggest town in England without a rail station, while the wider area is the largest and most-populous area in Greater Manchester not connected to the rail network.

The milestone aims to boost access to jobs and opportunities for people in the town and the wider Wigan borough.

According to Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), the Golborne station scheme forms part of a wider ambition to bring eight commuter lines into the Bee Network by 2028 – of which “significant investment” has been put into.

The application includes plans for a new accessible two-platform rail station, including step-free access throughout with a footbridge across the tracks and lifts to both platforms, a new hourly service between Wigan and Manchester Victoria, and onwards to Stalybridge, an improved town centre car park, and also new walking and cycling links to the town centre.

The submitting of the proposals comes after nearly 3,000 people had their say on the station earlier this year, with more than 90% of respondents supporting the plans.

A CGI of what the proposed new Golborne station could look like, if plans are approved / Credit: TfGM

If the plans are approved by Wigan Council, work on the site should begin in 2026, according to TfGM, with the new station scheduled to open in 2027.

Mayor Andy Burnham called the submitting of the proposals a “transformative step” for the region.

“It has taken a huge effort to get us to this point,” he explained. “But we have finally reached a major milestone on the journey to reconnect Golborne to the rail network for the first time in over 60 years.

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“The proposal is based on extremely sound evidence and huge progress has been made with a planning application being submitted and overwhelming support from local residents.”

Featured Image – TfGM

News

Police issue statement after remains of young baby found in Salford field

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Police issue statement after remains of young baby found in Salford field

Police have issued a statement after the remains of a young baby were tragically found in Salford yesterday.

Emergency services were called to the scene near Ashtons Field after a dog walker made the shocking discovery.

The baby – who is being called Baby A – has not yet been identified and police are now investigating ‘who this baby could be, how long they have been here, and how they have sadly died’.

GMP are appealing for anyone with any information to come forward so they can ‘find answers for this baby’.

Chief Superintendent Neil Blackwood held a press conference near the scene on Ravenscraig Road last night.

He said: “Tragically, today, we have found what we believe to be the remains of a young baby on Ravenscraig Road, near Ashtons Field in Little Hulton.

“We have a scene in place, and you will likely see an increased presence of officers in the local area while we carry out enquiries to understand the circumstances.

“At this stage, we are following several lines of enquiry, and we are working with local partner agencies to understand who this baby could be, how long they have been here, and how they have sadly died. We are now calling this baby, Baby A. 

“All of this is extremely sensitive, and this investigation needs to be handled with the utmost care it deserves, and it is going to take time.

GMP press conference after remains of baby found in Salford

“We know that this news will devastate our communities, and while we do not have all the answers to these questions yet, I want to reassure residents that we will do all we can to find out what has happened here. The most important thing for us right now is to find answers for this baby and I would urge anyone who has any information at all to get in touch with us.

“Even the most minor detail could be crucial to our investigation. If you have seen anyone in the area over the last few days, or know who the parents could be, please call us as soon as you can.

“As soon as we are in a position to confirm further details about the circumstances, we will do so.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting log 1319 of 20/11/24. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

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Featured image: Google Maps

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