Police have issued an urgent appeal for information after a string of arson attacks were carried out on four streets in Bolton over the weekend.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that, between 12am and 1am yesterday morning (Sunday 16 April), officers and several other emergency service response teams were called to reports of multiple arson attacks on properties across the Great Lever and Farnworth areas of Bolton.
The fires were said to have been “extinguished quickly” by local residents and emergency services, and no injuries have been reported.
Two men, aged 31 and 28, were subsequently arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life, according to GMP, and a Section 60 stop and search was also enforced in the local area and remains in place until midnight tonight.
Police say they are currently treating the fires as “targeted arson attacks”.
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The attacks resulted in criminal damage of multiple properties and one vehicle – with enquiries remaining ongoing and scenes still in place, GMP confirms.
“The arson attacks across the Farnworth and Great Lever areas are shocking displays of violence and aggression and have put innocent members of the public at risk,” commented Detective Chief Inspector Peter Morley of GMP Bolton’s district.
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“Thankfully nobody was injured, and the incident is believed to be a targeted attack – but these were reckless attacks and will not be tolerated in our communities.
“Two males have already been arrested on suspicion of these attacks and we are continuing our extensive enquiries to locate any other possible suspects involved in these incidents.
“We remain committed to locating, arresting, and bringing justice to these offenders and the victims of these attacks.”
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Urgent appeal for information after string of ‘targeted’ arson attacks on four Bolton streets / Credit: GMP
GMP is asking that anyone with any information that could help with enquiries to “get in touch as soon as possible”, no matter how small it may seem as this “could be the missing piece we need to locate these offenders and bringing them to justice”.
Anyone with any information or footage of this incident should contact GMP on 0161 856 5757 or 101 quoting log 3979 of 15/04/2023.
Alternatively, report information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – Pxfuel
News
New measures announced to tackle ‘rogue’ landlords across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
A cohort of trained enforcement officers are set to hit the streets in all 10 boroughs to help improve the lives of the region’s renters.
Forming part of Greater Manchester‘s commitment to the highest-quality housing standards alongside the Good Landlord Charter, the newly trained enforcement officers will be tasked with protecting tenants, joining Council teams in checking rental properties, bringing enforcement action against bad landlords, and cracking down on illegal practices.
The introduction of the new enforcement officers comes after what has been ‘years of sustained pressure’ on local budgets.
Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) says it is working with the 10 councils across the region to strengthen local teams, rebuild in-house skills and expertise, and ensure that powers can be applied with consistency in all boroughs.
As mentioned, this all forms part of the Good Landlord Charter – which is GMCA’s ‘bold approach’ to drive up standards for renters across the region.
Landlords of more than half of rented properties in Greater Manchester have now signed up as supporters of the Charter, and as supporters, they have committed to going above and beyond legal minimums to improve the renting experience for hundreds of thousands of people.
“A safe place to call home is the cornerstone of a happy, healthy life,” explained Mayor Bev Craig. “But for years, people have felt trapped in poor-quality housing, and cash-strapped councils were unable to step in to help. I’m putting an end to that.
“We know there are plenty of good landlords in Greater Manchester, and many of them have already signed up to our Good Landlord Charter, but too many are just not good enough.
“That’s why we’re deploying a new generation of expert housing officers onto the streets of our towns and cities.”
Mayor Bev Craig declared that she ‘won’t stand by and let rogue landlords take advantage of people’.
She continued: “By empowering renters, working with responsible landlords, and using our powers to crack down on the bad ones, I will make sure everyone in Greater Manchester has the foundation for a good life.”
Featured Image – Benjamin Elliott (via Unsplash)
News
One million UK adults who have never smoked before are now vaping, new stats reveal
Emily Sergeant
More than a million UK adults who claim to have never smoked cigarettes are now vaping.
According to alarming new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), relating to people aged 16 and over, around 2.8 million men (11.3%) and 2.1 million women (8.2%) are thought to be smokers in the UK… but more than a million people, who have never smoked before, have now made the decision to start vaping instead.
People in the 25 to 34 age group were found to be the most likely to vape, according to the data, overtaking those aged 16 to 24, as it was the only age group to see a rise in e-cigarette usage.
Daily or occasional vaping is still higher than the proportion of people smoking cigarettes too, the ONS revealed, at 5.4 million, or 9.9%, versus 4.8 million (8.7%).
One million UK adults who have never smoked are now vaping / Credit: Lil Artsy (via Pexels) | Pxhere
“Fewer than one in 10 adults now smoke,” commented David Mais, from the ONS.
“This is the lowest proportion on record and continues the long-term decline in smoking. [But] at the same time, e-cigarette use remains more common than smoking and has followed an overall upward trend since 2020.
“E-cigarette users are also getting older, with those aged 25 to 34 now overtaking 16 to 24-year-olds as the age group most likely to use them.
Emily Sergeant -
17th April 2023 
