A mass brawl over the weekend in Spinningfields, during which it’s believed a gun was discharged, has led to the arrest of two teenage men.
The pair are due to appear in Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court today, charged with possessing a firearm.
A large fight broke out on Wood Street shortly after 4am on Saturday 5 November, close to the Oast House and BLVD nightclub.
GMP Detectives say that CCTV shows a number of people in the area as the brawl broke out, with gunshots heard.
Thankfully, no one was injured in the incident, but officers say it could have been a ‘very different story’.
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They’re now appealing for any witnesses to come forward with information.
#CHARGED | GMP Detectives are continuing to appeal for further information and witnesses after two men were found in possession of a firearm in #Manchester City Centre.
The two men were both remanded into custody following their arrests.
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Talib Shabani, 19, of Hattern Avenue in Leicester, has been charged for possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, driving a motor vehicle dangerously and use of a motor vehicle with no third-party insurance.
Abdul Wali, also 19, of no fixed abode, has been charged for possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.
Detective Inspector Madeline Kelly of GMP’s City of Manchester division said: “Thankfully no one was injured in this incident, however this could have been a very different story, as there were a large number of people in the area at the time.
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“We have a dedicated team of Detectives working hard to establish the facts and to understand what preceded this incident, however I would like to stress that we cannot do this alone and often vital evidence lies with witnesses and members of the public.
“I am particularly keen to speak to anyone who was in or around Wood Street in Manchester City Centre and specifically near to the Oast house and BLVD nightclub at about 4am on Saturday the 5th of November.
“Perhaps you were walking past, or waiting for a taxi nearby and have mobile phone footage of what happened? Maybe you were parked up nearby and have dash cam footage that would assist us? No matter how insignificant it may seem, any information could prove invaluable in solidifying this investigation”.
Anyone with information should contact the police on 0161 856 4409 quoting incident number 536 of 05/11/22.
Reports can also be made anonymously to the independent charity – Crimestoppers – on 0800 555 111.
Featured image: Google Maps
News
‘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 -
7th November 2022 
