A whole host of new CCTV cameras have been installed throughout one of Manchester’s busiest railway stations.
A total of 86 new CCTV cameras have been installed and are now in operation at Manchester Victoria station, it has been confirmed, as part of a wider £750,000 scheme that’s set to provide “even safer journeys” for rail customers all across the North.
It’s all because Northern has vowed to improve CCTV coverage at the city centre station, as well as at dozens of its other stations on the network.
The investment programme, as mentioned before – which was announced by Northern last year – includes more than 600 new CCTV cameras at Northern stations, and is already proving successful, as the train operator revealed that number of ‘dangerous attacks’ recorded on its trains had fallen by almost 90% within the year.
There were 69 recorded ‘dangerous attack’ incidents in 2022, but just eight of them in 2023.
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Dozens of new CCTV cameras have been installed at Manchester Victoria station / Credit: Northern
Some of these incidents included trains being struck by objects thrown from bridges, railway embankments and stations, or trains colliding with ‘substantial items’ that were deliberately placed on the track.
On top of these 600+ new cameras – including the 86 at Manchester Victoria – Northern has also installed 7,000 HD CCTV cameras on board its fleet of trains, and has invested £1.7 million in the roll-out of more than 1,000 extra body-worn camera kits to colleagues across its network – which takes the total number now in operation to 1,300.
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“We already have thousands of cameras at stations across our network and on-board our trains,” explained Craig Harrop, who is the Regional Director at Northern, following the installing of the new CCTV cameras.
“But we are adding more with this £750,000 investment to ensure customers and colleagues always feel safe.”
It’s part of a wider £750,000 scheme that’s set to provide “even safer journeys” for rail customers / Credit: Northern
Northern is also encouraging the Greater Manchester and wider northern public to report any anti-social behaviour witnessed to the British Transport Police (BTP) – with Mr Harrop adding: ” While CCTV often discourages criminal and anti-social behaviour, if offenders are caught on camera, police can also use the footage to bring them to justice.”
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Anyone who witnesses criminal activity on the railway should contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40.
You can also report crimes via the BTP ‘Railway Guardian’ app online too.
Featured Image – Northern
News
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.
Emily Sergeant -
4th March 2024 
