Two men have been arrested following reports that an 87-year-old man had been attacked and kidnapped in Oldham.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that, at approximately 9pm last Sunday evening (15 September), an 87-year-old man – who has not been publicly named – was reportedly walking home in the Lee Street area of Oldham when he was dragged into a black car and blindfolded, while demands were made for his money and personal items.
The victim was reportedly then attacked and pushed out of the car in the Rishworth area of West Yorkshire.
The man eventually found aid by knocking on a door at around 10:40pm that evening.
Lee Street in Oldham, where the victim was reportedly attacked and kidnapped / Credit: Google Maps
Last Thursday (19 September), police first arrested a 39-year-old man on suspicion of kidnap in connection with the incident, but he has since been released on police bail pending further investigations.
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A second man, aged 24, was then arrested yesterday morning (22 September) at an address in Royton on suspicion of kidnap, and he remains in custody for questioning at this time.
Police are continuing to appeal to the Greater Manchester public for information and witnesses of this “shocking incident” as their investigations progress, with Detective Inspector Emma Hulston, from GMP’s Major Incident Team, assuring that: “Our investigation team is making good progress in gathering evidence to establish the full circumstances.”
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#ARREST | A man has been arrested in connection with an investigation into reports an 87-year-old man was bundled into a car and thrown out in West Yorkshire.
The man, aged 39, has been arrested on suspicion of kidnap.
DI Hulston continued: “Whilst incidents of this nature can cause alarm in the community, we do believe it was an isolated incident with no wider threat to the public. Specialist officers are continuing to support the victim and detectives are working around the clock determined to bring offenders to justice.
“We are continuing to appeal to the public for information, dashcam, or doorbell footage that could help us solve this crime and help hold all those responsible accountable.”
Information can be provided through GMP’s dedicated Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) here, or by contacting the investigation team on 0161 856 3635 quoting log number 3165/150924.
You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GMP
News
Hundreds of staff to strike at four Greater Manchester hospitals next week
Emily Sergeant
Hundreds of staff at four of Greater Manchester’s hospitals are set to strike next week.
More than 350 Northern Care Alliance Foundation Trust (NCA) employees – including nurses, clinical support workers and housekeepers – are walking out for three days next week after union UNISON says an offer to ‘resolve’ a dispute was withdrawn before discussions could take place.
According to the union, the dispute centres on the NCA’s use of an outside agency called NHS Professionals (NHSP) to manage overtime.
When covering staff shortages, workers are entitled to time-and-a-half pay – however in some cases, staff earn less than they would on a normal shift, and some have even been missing out on more than £80 per shift, the union added.
Operating theatre staff were previously on picket lines in June, and although an option to resolve the row was initially tabled by NCA bosses, this has now fallen through.
Hundreds of staff at four of Greater Manchester’s hospitals are set to strike next week / Credit: Stephen Andrews (via Unsplash)
This means that staff at Salford Royal Hospital, Royal Oldham Hospital, Rochdale Infirmary, and Fairfield Hospital in Bury are walking out next week on Monday 24, Wednesday 26, and Friday 28 August.
In particular, staff from all four sites will also gather in Salford on Wednesday (26 August) for a ‘unified’ day of protest.
Understandably, some disruption is expected at each of the hospitals on strike days.
“Those at the top of NCA have shown a lack of leadership and made their disregard for their staff clear,” explained UNISON North West regional organiser, Kevin Dolan.
“A deal was put on the table but taken away before we had chance to talk it over. We are ready to continue negotiations, but it’s obvious NCA has no intention of resolving this.
“This isn’t complicated. Staff are simply asking for what their contract says they’re entitled to. Nothing more.”
Featured Image – Pxhere
News
Wetherspoons introduces new phone rule at all UK pubs after customers are ‘driven nuts’
Emily Sergeant
JD Wetherspoon has announced a major new phone rule in all its sites across the UK after customers complain of being ‘driven nuts’.
The pub chain – which has nearly 800 branches across the UK – announced earlier this week that it has made the decision to ban people from playing music or videos out of their phones, and from taking calls on loudspeaker.
The ban, which has been introduced effective immediately, follows a rising number of complaints from customers about the noise – with owners saying sounds from smartphones and tablet computers had become an ‘increasing problem’ in recent years.
Wetherspoon founder and chairman, Tim Martin, says he wants Wetherspoon pubs to be ‘an oasis of tranquillity and contemplation’.
Wetherspoons has introduced a new phone rule at all its UK pubs after customers are ‘driven nuts’ / Credit: Allan Rohmer (via Unsplash)
A formal statement from the company announcing the ban reads: “Following complaints from customers, who are being driven nuts by other people’s videos and amplified phone conversations, Wetherspoon has asked customers to switch their phones to silent or to use earphones.”
Tim Martin added: “In order to avoid customers being driven chicken jalfrezi by a cacophony of sound, we are kindly asking phone users to pipe down.”
Wetherspoon’s ban follows a YouGov poll conducted last year questioning public opinion on a proposition made by the Liberal Democrats of introducing fines of up to £1,000 for ‘headphone dodgers’ who play music out loud on buses and trains.
62% of people, on average, said they would back this move if it was introduced.
The poll, which surveyed 6,815 British adults, found that almost three-quarters of those over 65 would support the fines, while those aged between 18 and 24 were split 47% to 43% in favour of it.
Early public reactions to Wetherspoon’s ban appears to be overwhelmingly positive.
Emily Sergeant -
23rd September 2024 
