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Public warned not to approach wanted man last spotted in Piccadilly Gardens

Call 999 if you see him.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 1st May 2024

Police have launched an appeal to trace a wanted man who absconded during a visit from a secure unit.

The public are being warned not to approach Shaun Paul Smith, who also goes by the name Aemon Martin.

A confirmed sighting of the 60-year-old at a Tesco Express on Piccadilly Gardens was caught on CCTV at 8.30am yesterday morning (30 April).

GMP is now assisting with Lancashire Police’s appeal after enquiries traced him to Manchester city centre.

Smith absconding during a visit to Preston on Thursday 25 April and was caught on CCTV on Bank Street in Rawtenstall the following day.

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Shaun is described as white, with grey hair, a slim build, a beard and moustache.

He was last seen wearing a hat, cream jeans, grey/red t-shirt, grey cardigan, black coat, black trainers and a backpack.

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The public have been warned not to approach Shaun Paul Smith. Credit: GMP
The public have been warned not to approach Shaun Paul Smith. Credit: GMP

CCTV images and a photo of Smith’s face have also been released by police as part of the appeal to trace him.

But if spotted, the public are urged ‘do not approach him’ and instead report sightings urgently to the police.

Smith has links to Blackburn and Accrington town centres, but is believed to be in the City Centre area of Manchester.

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GMP said: “We’re asking the public to remain vigilant and report any sightings to us and if you see him, please do not approach him but contact us on 999 quoting Log 1118 of 30/4/2024.”

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Featured image: GMP

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Police appeal to find next of kin after man found outside Palace Theatre

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Police appeal to find next of kin after man found outside Palace Theatre

Police are trying to track down the family of a man who died after being found unresponsive outside the Palace Theatre in Manchester.

The man, who has now been named as Jonathan Bernard Carroll, was seen outside the city centre theatre at around 6.30am on Tuesday 12 November.

Emergency services rushed to the scene and Mr Carroll was taken to hospital.

Tragically, the 47-year-old passed away a short time later.

A large cordon was in place on Whitworth Street and Oxford Road while police and security attended the incident.

Greater Manchester Police are now appealing to find his next of kin.

It’s believed that he resided in the Salford area of Greater Manchester.

Anyone with any information should contact the Coroner’s Office on 0161 856 1376.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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Greater Manchester public urged to help get people ‘off the streets and on their feet’ before Christmas

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Locals are being urged to help get hundreds of people “off the streets and back on their feet” this festive season.

As the temperatures told colder by the day, and Christmas creeps closer and closer, Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity is bringing back ‘1000 Beds for Christmas’, and the massively-important initiative is aiming to provide 1,000 nights of accommodation to people at risk of homelessness before the big day arrives.

Forming part of the ongoing ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, this festive fundraising mission is designed to provide food, shelter, warmth, and dedicated vital wrap-around support for those who need it most.

The charity says it wants to build on the “incredible success of 2023”, which raised more than £55,000 and provided 1,800 nights of accommodation.

Stockport-based property finance specialists, Together – which has supported the campaign for the last two years – has, once again, generously pledged to match every public donation for the first £20,000 raised.  

Unfamiliar with the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme? Since 2017, when rough sleeping peaked, the initiative has helped ensure a significantly-higher rate of reduction in the numbers of people facing a night on streets in Greater Manchester than seen nationally.

The landmark scheme has given people the chance to rebuild their lives, while also giving them access to key services and opportunities that allows them to stay off the streets for good.

Despite the scheme’s recent success, organisations across Greater Manchester are under “a huge amount of pressure” to meet the demand for their services this winter, and given the current economic outlook, household budgets will continue to be squeezed – leaving people on the sharp end of inequality and poverty.

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“Help us be a lifeline to organisations on the frontline,” Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity urged in it’s public appeal for donations.

You can help make sure ‘A Bed Every Night’ is a reality for all by donating here.

Featured Image – EthelRedThePetrolHead (via Flickr)

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