News

Six arrests following Leeds and Man Utd clash

Greater Manchester Police said that five arrests were made in relation to public order offences and one on suspicion of drug offences.

The Manc The Manc - 16th August 2021

Six people were arrested after Manchester United and Leeds fans brawled on the streets prior to the first game at Old Trafford this season.

Footage shared on social media showed rival supporters fighting around the Deansgate area prior to the lunchtime kick-off on Saturday (14 August).

In one video, groups are seen throwing chairs and bins in the melee.

Greater Manchester Police has since confirmed that five arrests were made in relation to public order offences and one on suspicion of drug offences.

The rest of the game, which United won 5-1, reportedly passed without incident.

ADVERTISEMENT
https://twitter.com/FootballlForAll/status/1426489219002810369?s=20

Chief Superintendent Stuart Ellison said: “Despite isolated incidents of disorder in the city centre prior to kick-off, today’s events at Old Trafford largely passed without police incident and I would like to thank the majority of the public for their cooperation throughout the day.

“There were many challenges around today’s operation, and our officers were working extended hours to help ensure that events passed safely and without significant disruption for the wider public going about their weekend activity.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Work has begun immediately, in conjunction with football investigating officers from both Manchester United and Leeds United, to identify offenders of other incidents of disorder so that we are able to bring them to book for their mindless actions.”

More than 75,000 fans packed into Old Trafford for the fixture – the first time the stadium has held such a crowd since the original lockdown.

Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick during the rout of Leeds, with Mason Greenwood and Fred also getting on the scoresheet.

Featured image: GMP

News

A third of Brits want police to immediately ban drink drivers at the roadside

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A third of Brits support giving police powers to immediately ban drink drivers at the roadside, a new survey has revealed.

Ahead of the festive travel season, where a record number of people are expected to hit the road and make journeys all across the UK over the next couple of days, the RAC has asked more than 2,500 drivers to give their thoughts on the state of the roads for 2024’s edition of the Report on Motoring, and found that tougher sentences were the most popular solution among motorists for tackling the problem of drink-driving.

With instances of drink-driving said to be responsible for the deaths of some 300 people in 2022 – which is when the latest data on this was collected – four in 10 motorists (38%) believe harsher sentences are the answer.

A third of drivers (33%) also support giving the police new powers to immediately disqualify drink-drivers at the roadside once they’ve been stopped.

A third of Brits want police to immediately ban drink drivers at the roadside / Credit – Vladimir Proskurovskiy (via Unsplash)

The idea that convicted drink-drivers should have alcohol interlocks, also known as ‘alcolocks’, fitted to their vehicles to prevent them driving if they have any alcohol in their system, was favoured by 32% of those questioned by the RAC.

A similar number of drivers (31%) also want to see roadside breathalyser testing increased.

When it comes to drug drivers, results from the RAC’s survey are a similar story, only higher – with almost two-thirds of all drivers (64%) supporting tougher sentencing for drug-drivers, and 56% saying they would like to see increased levels of roadside testing.

Just under half (49%) of motorists questioned want the police to be able to immediately disqualify drug-drivers at the roadside.

Speaking on the findings from the RAC’s survey, Chief Constable Jo Shiner, who is the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for roads policing, commented: “In policing, we see the damaging impact of drink and drug driving all too often, and every fatality or serious injury which happens as a consequence of this is completely avoidable.

“Driving under the influence of drink or drugs puts everyone at risk – individuals, families, businesses and whole communities.

Read more:

“Together we must do everything we can to put a stop to this irresponsible and incredibly dangerous behaviour.”

Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons

News

Manchester locals appealing for more information over a month after from finding family member’s body

Danny Jones Danny Jones GMP appeal after body of Chorlton man found dead in bedroom

A Greater Manchester family are still calling for more information now over a month on from the discovery of a man’s body at his Chorlton home.

William Riddell, 49, was found dead in the bedroom of a property on Astbury Avenue at approximately 11:35pm on Sunday, 10 November after being found by his stepdaughter, Sarah Hayden.

Details surrounding his passing are still scarce but a 47-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder but has since been released on bail “pending further enquiries”, leaving Sarah and the rest of her family still none the wiser as to the exact nature of his death.

Preparing to spend their first Christmas without him, they have issued a desperate appeal for more information, urging anyone who might have information to come forward.

Riddell, more commonly known as Billy by those close to him, was described as a “good, caring man with a big heart” and a popular figure in the local area.

Speaking via Greater Manchester Police, Sarah, said: “I want to be Billy’s voice and get answers for him. Billy was a nice and lovely man and all the community knew who he was. He was well-liked and we gave him a good send-off at his funeral.

“I would just ask anyone who knew him or has any information to come forward and tell police. Even if you think it’s a little or small thing – please come forward. We just want to get to the bottom of what has happened.”

Detective Inspector Alex Wilkinson, who serves on GMP‘s Major Incident Team, added in an official statement: “The family of Billy deserve answers following his death and we are working hard to ensure they get exactly that.

“We have closely supported Sarah and the wider family over the last month, and we will continue to provide assistance wherever we can as they face their first Christmas without him.

“While a suspect has been bailed, we are still working flat-out to understand more about Billy’s life, the people he was close to, and events leading up to his death just over a month ago.”

Read more:

With that in mind, both GMP and Riddell’s family are asking anyone who might know anything or have information regarding people associated with Billy to come forward, reiterating that “even if you consider something to be small – your help could greatly benefit our investigation.”

You can contact police via 101 or by using the live chat function HERE, quoting log 3227 of 10/11/24.

Alternatively, you can contact the UK’s independent charity, Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Greater Manchester Police

More News

News

Government aims to ‘turn the tide’ on homelessness with £1 billion funding boost

News

Avanti West Coast staff set to strike on major days over festive period

Business

Full list of Christmas opening hours at all UK supermarkets 2024

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches