Witnesses have reported trespassers breaking onto the site of the Manchester Arena memorialover the weekend, leaving the families of those killed in the atrocity ‘devastated’.
People were seen ‘vomiting and urinating’ on The Glade of Light garden, which is still under construction.
The incident over the weekend was witnessed by the families of those who died in the atrocity at the Manchester Arena back in 2017.
They reported people dragging the fences away to walk through the memorial garden, with some walking across the concrete halo centrepiece bearing the names of the victims.
Plans for Glade of Light, which is still under construction. Credit: Manchester City Council
Caroline Curry, whose son Liam was killed in the terrorist incident along with his girlfriend Chloe Rutherford, tweeted: “@ManCityCouncil arrived earlier and found the fencing around the glade has been moved and people walking thru & round the glade.
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“I’ve witnessed urinating, vomiting, attempted theft, drug use and finally a drunk who claims to be/have been in the army walk across the halo.
“When asked to get down his response “I don’t give a fuck what it is” so my question is, Where is the RESPECT we were told to expect from the people of Manchester?
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“Certainly none of that tonight!! And clearly they can’t read either!!
“I can’t wait til the day I never have to come back to this place!! The only place I know where waccie baccie is a constant smell in the air!! Feeling totally devastated by it all”
I can’t wait til the day I never have to come back to this place!! The only place I know where waccie baccie is a constant smell in the air!! Feeling totally devastated by it all 💔 pic.twitter.com/kQxfUlHhXe
Claire Brewster’s sister Kelly Brewster was another victim of the Manchester Arena attack.
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She posted yesterday: “Devastated to arrive in Manchester tonight & see people moving the fences to walk through the memorial @ManCityCouncil thought it wasn’t opening until next year? Tried putting the fence back ourselves and people are just dragging it out of the way!”
Figen Murray, mother of Martyn Hett, said: “Not sure what can be done about human beings who clearly have not been brought up with decency & respect for others! Shame on them! Upset about you being quite rightly distressed witnessing all that!!”
Councillor Pat Karney told the BBC that Manchester City Council would be investigating ‘as a matter of urgency’.
He said: “The whole area is covered by CCTV and if footage shows it was due to the deliberate actions of mindless thugs, rather than a problem with the fencing itself, we will pass this information on to the police.
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“We utterly condemn this mindless and disrespectful behaviour and will not hesitate to take action against those involved.”
Featured image: Manchester City Council
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‘Groundbreaking’ new police team launches on Bee Network to make it one of the safest in the world
Emily Sergeant
A ‘groundbreaking’ new policing model aimed at making the Bee Network one of the safest public transport networks in the world has launched.
Described as being ‘pioneering’, the first-of-its-kind approach – named the Transport Policing and Crime Command (TPACC) – will bring Greater Manchester Police (GMP), Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) even closer together to tackle crime, antisocial behaviour, and safety issues across the region’s transport network.
So, how will it work then? Well, according to TfGM, the command will ‘effectively establish’ the Bee Network as GMP’s eleventh policing district.
It will bring together up to 300 personnel, including new police officers, who are all involved in keeping the network safe and providing greater reassurance to passengers travelling across the region.
Efforts to keep passengers safe on buses, trams, active travel routes, and roads across Greater Manchester will be ‘strengthened’ through the new team – improving co-ordination in response to incidents, and helping to reassure communities.
A ‘groundbreaking’ new police team has launched on the Bee Network to make it one of the safest in the world / Credit: TfGM
The new team will also incorporate the existing Roads Policing Unit within GMP that includes specialist functions such as the Central Ticket Office, the Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit, the motorbike unit, the Commercial Vehicle Unit, the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, and more.
Overall, the key focus of TPACC is to:
Increase public confidence on safety across the transport network
Reduce violence, antisocial behaviour and criminality across the transport network
Increase the number of users of the Bee Network across Greater Manchester
The launch of TPACC is said to represents ‘the next phase’ of Greater Manchester’s commitment to creating a ‘safer, more secure, and more welcoming’ transport network for everyone who lives, works, and travels across the region.
“I want a world-class Bee Network where everyone feels safe,” commented Greater Manchester Mayor, Bev Craig.
“Our new dedicated transport policing command will bring together more than 300 police and safety officers, with high-profile patrols across our roads and the Bee Network. It means a stronger presence in our communities and faster action when people need help.
“TPACC will also crack down on dangerous driving to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads, which have devastating consequences for families and communities.”
Featured Image – TfGM
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Two arrested after assaulting and burgling 90-year-old woman in Stockport suburb
Emily Sergeant
Two people have been arrested following reports of an assault and burglary at a 90-year-old woman’s home in a Stockport suburb.
While en-route to the incident in Heald Green – which was reported to Greater Manchester Police (GMP) at around 2:30am on 29 October – officers located the victim’s vehicle being driven by an unknown man.
The stolen vehicle made off from police before it lost control, went up a grass verge, and collided with a stationary vehicle.
Police confirmed that a white British man, aged 41, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of a burglary and serious assault, while a white British woman, aged 47, was also later arrested on suspicion of burglary and serious assault – with both remaining in custody for questioning.
The victim, a 90-year-old woman, was taken to hospital for treatment and is being supported by specialist officers, although luckily, her injuries are not life-threatening.
Enquiries are now ongoing, and officers are working to establish the full circumstances of the shocking incident.
“This was undoubtedly a traumatic experience for the victim, and we have specialist officers supporting her through this investigation,” explained Detective Inspector Craig Turner, from Stockport CID.
“This was a violent burglary and thanks to the brave victim reporting it, our officers made two swift arrests with the suspects taken into police custody to be interviewed.
“We believe this was a targeted attack and there is no wider risk to the community. Extra patrols of officers have been deployed to the area to offer reassurance to members of the community. Please let them know if you have any concerns.
“We are committed to tackling dangerous offenders and keeping our communities safe from harm.”
Daisy Jackson -
6th December 2021 
