Greater Manchester Police has issued an urgent appeal for witnesses who may have seen a missing 11-year-old girl from Bolton.
Fatuma Kadir was reported missing just before 10.45pm last night (22 July) and following enquiries, was seen to have boarded a train from Manchester Piccadilly at 9.27pm to Birmingham New Street.
She was then seen getting onto another train from there at 11.10pm to London Euston, arriving at 1.13am today (23 July).
Officers confirmed that CCTV enquiries showed that the girl was travelling with a man and a woman, and have released a CCTV image of the three in the hopes that anyone with information or anyone who may have seen the three will come forward in a bid to find the girl’s whereabouts.
She was last seen at London Euston train station at 1.17am today (23 July), and is described as an Asian female of slim build who was last seen wearing a black headscarf and black dress, and was in company of a woman – described as black, of slim build, wearing a light blue tunic, black pants, and black trainers with a white sole.
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Police also said that the woman’s face was covered with a white face mask, and she was carrying an orange carrier bag.
Fatuma was last seen to leave Euston station alone onto Eversholt Street towards Euston Road.
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Credit: Greater Manchester Police
“We are understandably extremely concerned about the welfare of this young girl who was reported missing to us last night as it would seem extremely out of character,” said Detective Chief Inspector Paul Rollinson, from the Bolton district.
“We’ve been working throughout the night with colleagues from British Transport Police and Metropolitan Police and are now releasing a CCTV image of the three when they arrived at Manchester Piccadilly train station.
“We want to ensure that the girl is safe and well and would ask for anyone with information – no matter how small it may be – to come forward.”
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Anyone with information on Fatuma’s whereabouts is urged to contact 0161 856 5757 quoting log number 3275 of 22/07/2021, or report it online at www.gmp.police.uk.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.