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
Seven in 10 NHS workers think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic
Emily Sergeant
A new survey has revealed that seven in 10 NHS workers believe the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic if one should arise.
After the recent meningitis B outbreak in Kent last month raised the conversation of mass contagion once again, of course following the COVID-19 pandemic, a new YouGov survey of more than 1,000 NHS workers has now uncovered how well prepared staff in the health service think it is for another global pandemic.
The results show that 69% of staff surveyed think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic, and to make matters worse, 26% of those even say it’s ‘very poorly’ prepared.
Only one in five (22%) think the NHS is could properly handle another pandemic, but statistically, YouGov claims none of those surveyed said it’s ‘very well’ prepared.
Seven in 10 NHS workers think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic / Credit: Pxhere | Rawpixel
When workers were asked how the NHS’s level of preparedness now compares to prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 41% did concede that they think it is better prepared now than 2020, however 37% admitted they think it’s no better prepared.
16% actively think it’s less well-prepared now than it was prior to 2020.
This marked a new era of ‘transparency’ and ‘accountability’ in the NHS, with the league tables delivering on the Government’s promise to drive up standards, tackle variation in care, and ensure people get the high-quality service they rightly expect.
Every trust in England – from urgent and emergency care, through to elective operations and mental health services – will now be ranked quarterly against ‘clear and consistent’ standards.
Featured Image – Stephen Andrews (via Unsplash)
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Seven people arrested in Salford over plans to conduct coordinated mass shoplifting campaign
Emily Sergeant
Seven people have been arrested in Salford over plans to be part of a coordinated mass shoplifting campaign of ‘high end’ retailers and supermarkets across the country.
According to Greater Manchester Police (GMP), it is believed the group had been training for ‘non‑violent direct action’ in Salford as part of a coordinated mass shoplifting campaign, where they were intending to steal goods from high‑value stores and major supermarkets across the country, and then redistribute them to places such as food banks.
Working in collaboration with the Metropolitan Police Service, officers arrested one male and six females in Salford yesterday afternoon (Sunday 19 April) on suspicion of conspiracy to steal.
They all remain in police custody for questioning.
It has been reported in multiple sources, such as the BBC and the MEN, that the individuals arrested are believed to be part of the Take Back Power Action Group.
Take Back Power Action Group describes itself on its website as a ‘nonviolent civil resistance group’ that is aiming to ‘put the 99% in charge’ through citizen’s assemblies.
“We are ordinary people from all walks of life who believe that in order to fix Britain, taxing the rich is an essential first step, and we want ordinary people to decide how,” a statement on the group’s website declares.
Speaking following the arrests over the weekend, Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker said: “This joint operation with the Metropolitan Police has resulted in the arrests of seven individuals who we believe were planning to take part in coordinated national activity targeting high‑value retail stores.
“We are taking robust action to disrupt this type of organised criminality, and it will not be tolerated in Greater Manchester.
Emily Sergeant -
23rd September 2024 
