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
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Man charged after ‘serious assault’ of police officers in Manchester city centre
Emily Sergeant
A man has been charged after several police officers were seriously assaulted in Manchester city centre earlier this week.
At around 4:55pm on Tuesday 12 May, officers from Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) city centre policing team were patrolling in the Denmark Road area of central Manchester when a man spat at a marked police vehicle as it drove past.
Officers stopped to speak with the man, but he then produced a knife and proceeded to attack them.
During the distressing incident, one officer was slashed in the face and neck and sustained serious injuries in the process, while two other officers were also assaulted and suffered minor injuries.
The offender – who GMP has now formally named as 40-year-old Dwayne Roxbrough – was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker, possession of a bladed article, and possession of Class B drugs, and at this time, he remains in custody for questioning.
A man has been charged after police officers were ‘seriously assaulted’ in Manchester city centre/ Credit: GMP
It has now been confirmed that Roxbrough has been charged with Section 18 wounding, two counts of possession of a knife in a public place, possession of a controlled Class B drug, Section 47 assault, and the assault of an emergency worker.
He is due to appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court today (Thursday 14 May).
“Our officers put themselves in harm’s way every day to protect the public and this was a violent and potentially life-threatening attack,” commented Detective Superintendent Ian McNabb, from GMP’s City of Manchester district.
“No one should go to work fearing violence and our officers are no exception.
“We are treating this matter with the utmost seriousness and will work tirelessly to ensure the offender is brought to justice.”
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
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Traders to move out of Manchester food hall as it pivots to ‘new chapter’
Daisy Jackson
Manchester food hall New Century will be closing its existing kitchens, it has announced, making way for a ‘new chapter’.
The New Century Kitchens are home to some top local food traders, including Parmogeddon’s Fricken concept, Wholesome Junkies, and Ply Pizza.
The food hall opened in 2022 as part of the iconic music venue’s rebirth, creating a modern mid-century space with six kitchens.
In the years since, it’s welcomed a rotation of amazing food offerings, including Hip Hop Chip Shop, Banh Vi, and Zumuku Sushi.
Now, New Century Kitchens has announced it will be ‘evolving’ to make live events part of the offering across the venue – not just upstairs in the main gig space.
That means that the traders currently based here will be moving out later this year, though the venue has assured people that they have been supported as they take their next steps.
Fans will still be able to visit New Century Kitchens in its current guise this summer, before its new chapter begins in autumn (but still some form of food and drink).
New Century said that music is in the building’s ‘DNA’ and this chapter will reflect that.
Current traders will be moving out of New Century KitchensNew Century is entering a ‘new chapter’
In a statement shared with The Manc, they said: “The ground floor at New Century is evolving. We are currently finalising plans for live events to become an even bigger part of our offering across the whole of the venue.
“As part of this evolution the current community of independent traders are moving onto exciting new chapters, and we have been working very closely with them to support all of these brilliant businesses in their next steps.
“Music is in the DNA of our iconic building and this new chapter will reflect that.
“New Century is a place for people to come together through entertainment and good hospitality and we’re looking forward to sharing more details soon.”
Emily Sergeant -
17th April 2023 
