Shooting incidents have plummeted by a staggering 92% in north Manchester in the past year, according to the latest figures.
Following what has been described as an “assault” on the city’s gangs and organised crime groups, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has now revealed that it has seen dozens of arrests made, and a number of significant seizures of drugs and firearms too.
It comes after specialist officers have “spearheaded the offensive”, according to GMP, with support from local detectives and neighbourhood teams continuing to take the fight to criminals operating in the north of Manchester.
GMP explains that targeted work led by the intelligence development team (IDT) to tackle a spike in shootings in early 2021 has led to reported firearms discharges dropping from 26 in 2020-21 to just two in the last 12 months, with none since last July, and during that same time period, 33 firearms have been taken from the streets of north Manchester – which is up from 29 the previous year.
“This demonstrates officers’ continued drive to use intelligence to tackle the possession of potentially lethal weapons,” GMP said.
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#ACTION | Gun crime's down 92% in the last year & over £7.5mill of drugs have been seized as north #Manchester's anti-gang cops up the offensive on organised crime.
Nearly 200 arrests have been made in that time as our disruption activity has seen shootings drop from 26 to two. pic.twitter.com/nrzs6glkH3
Working alongside detectives from the Serious Organised Crime Group (SOCG) and firearms investigation team, the action taken by the IDT has seen an increase in “proactive disruption activity”, with the execution of 72 drugs warrants, 58 firearms raids, and over 200 stop-searches resulting in 191 arrests.
Some of the weapons recovered during these seizures include revolvers, shotguns, converted blank-firing guns, knuckle-dusters and air refiles, according to GMP.
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GMP says that investigators have also been focused on dismantling the source of some of the city’s gang disputes.
This primarily involved the cultivation, use, and supply of class A and B drugs, especially after the force said there was a noticeable increase in aggravated burglaries last summer in places such as Cheetham Hill, Crumpsall and Blackley, where groups of men were seen targeting addresses armed with weapons and demanding drugs – particularly where they believed there were sophisticated cannabis farms.
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GMP says that investigators have also been focused on dismantling the source of some of the city’s drug-related gang disputes / Credit: GMP
On some occasions, these gangs went to the wrong addresses which saw innocent people having their homes invaded and being threatened with weapons.
GMP says incidents like these are “completely intolerable” and enquiries into this are ongoing.
The force also says it is keen to continue to confront suspected organised criminals operating in north Manchester, and that it takes concerns about suspected criminal activity “very seriously”, and routinely takes action on the back of information the public give us.
Family pays tribute to ‘much-loved son’ who died after Wigan bus crash
Daisy Jackson
The family of a man who died in a tragic bus crash in Wigan have paid a moving tribute to him.
Luke Hill, 28, was involved in a collision between a bus and a motorbike earlier this month, and sadly passed away in hospital the following morning.
The incident occurred on the Wigan Road junction of Alexandra Road, at around 11.54pm on Thursday 6 August – and GMP are still appealing for members of the public to come forward with CCTV, dashcam, or information.
The driver of the bus remained at the scene following the crash, and continues to support police with their investigation.
Paying tribute to Luke, his family described him as a ‘rock and much-loved part of the family’.
His mother said that living without him feels like a ‘terrible nightmare’.
Paying tribute, Luke’s mum, Sharon, has said: “Luke was my son, my rock, and a much-loved part of our family. There are simply no words to describe the pain of losing a son, especially in such a tragic way.
“It still doesn’t feel real. I keep expecting this terrible nightmare to end and for you to be here with us again.
“Luke was a beloved son, brother, uncle, nephew and grandson. He meant so much to so many people, and he will be deeply missed by all his family and friends.
“We miss you more than words could ever say. The pain of losing you is something we will carry with us forever, but so will the love and memories you gave us.
“The whole family is deeply saddened by this heartbreaking loss. We kindly ask that everyone respects our privacy and allows us the time and space we need to grieve.
“You will never be forgotten, Luke.
“We love you and miss you so much.”
Officers are continuing to appeal for any witnesses who may have seen the moments leading up to this incident, or anyone who has mobile phone or dash cam footage, to come forward and assist the investigation.
Anyone with information can contact police via 0161 856 4741 or our Live Chat at gmp.police.uk, quoting the log number 4225 of 06/08/2026.
Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Government issues UK-wide temporary ban on sale of disposable barbecues due to wildfire risk
Emily Sergeant
A temporary ban on the sale of disposable barbecues has been issued nationwide.
Following the UK’s fourth heatwave of the summer, and as many regions declare drought conditions, the Government has made the decision to issue a temporary ban on the sale of disposable barbecues due to wildfire risk.
A disposable barbecue is defined as a fuel tray or grill grid that includes charcoal fuel ‘sufficient to provide cooking temperature for the duration of a single cooking episode’.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Andy Burnham described the UK as a ‘tinderbox’ and urged ‘all retailers big and small’ to withdraw the sale of disposable barbecues to prevent further wildfires, but following the shocking scenes in Stourbridge which raged overnight, it appears this has been escalated to a formal temporary ban.
The ban applies to all producers and distributors of the product – including retailers that make disposable barbecues available on the British market – and includes online sales too.
A Government statement reads: “During the current drought and heatwave conditions, the Government considers that the supply and subsequent foreseeable use of disposable barbecues poses a significant risk to the public, and the environment, and therefore cannot be considered a safe product.
“They should not be made available for supply either in store or online at the current time.
“These guidelines will be kept under review, and will be withdrawn in consultation with relevant departments and agencies, as weather conditions change sufficiently to significantly reduce the risks.”
Emily Sergeant -
22nd March 2022 
