An urgent appeal for witnesses has been made after police received reports of a man exposing himself and “making sexual advances” to a stranger in a Salford park.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that officers received a call at approximately 4:15pm on Tuesday afternoon (14 March) to reports of a woman being grabbed by an unknown man in Buile Hill Park, near to the Lower Seedley Road side of the park.
While police confirmed the victim was able to get free, they were understandably left “very distressed” by the encounter.
Then, just a short time later, a further report of a man exposing himself on Eccles New Road was received – which led GMP to reveal they believe the two incidents are “linked”.
Now GMP is urgently appealing to the public to help identify the man.
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According to GMP, the man is described as being white, in his late teens to early twenties, and between 5ft 5 and 5ft 8 inches tall.
He was dressed in a dark-coloured beanie hat, dark-coloured top, tracksuit bottoms, and dark trainers, at the time of the incidents in question, and it’s also believed that he spoke with a local Salford / Greater Manchester accent.
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GMP says investigations are currently ongoing, but no arrests have been made as of yet.
“We need to speak to this man as soon as possible,” Detective Inspector Gareth Humphreys of the Salford district explained.
“We are asking for homes, businesses and vehicles in the area to check their CCTV and doorbell/dashcam footage around the time of the incidents.”
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Urgent appeal to identify man who ‘exposed himself’ and tried to stranger in Salford park / Credit: Google Maps
In response to the distressing incident, a large number of police officers have been deployed to the Salford area in an effort to “locate and apprehend the suspect”, GMP has confirmed.
“It’s important that residents and other members of the public in the area feel safe and reassured and as such, we have increased our patrols, particularly in and around Buile Hill Park,” DI Humphreys assured the public.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Salford CID on 0161 856 5261, or dial 101 and quote log number 232 of 14 March 2023, or alternatively, you can pass information over anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – Google Maps
News
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Emily Sergeant -
16th March 2023 
