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
Beloved local comedian Justin Moorhouse pays touching tribute to son Barney
Daisy Jackson
Justin Moorhouse has shared a touching tribute to his son, after announcing over the weekend that Barney had passed away.
The much-loved Tameside comedian wrote that the family are ‘besides themselves with grief’, before later sharing some of his favourite memories of his son, who was in his 20s.
Justin Moorhouse, who starred in Phoenix Nights and just recently performed at the Manchester Opera House on his ‘The Greatest Performance of My Life’ tour, described his son as ‘the sweetest, kindest soul’.
He wrote that Barney ‘just went to sleep and didn’t wake up’.
Following the heartbreaking news, Justin shared three of his fondest memories with his son, including a Flaming Lips gig in Leeds, Bleachers at the O2 Ritz in Manchester, and a trip to the US.
He wrote: “Some of my favourite memories of Barney are music gigs. I am so lucky to have enjoyed loads of stuff he did and obviously hates loads too!
“Luckily, he didn’t think I was too awkward to hang out with at gigs… How lucky I’ve been to have him.”
On Saturday, Justin Moorhouse shared: “It is with the heaviest of hearts I have to tell you our beautiful boy Barney has passed away. Me, his mum and step mum, his sister, cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents and his gorgeous friends are besides ourselves with grief.
“I am consoling myself as much as I can knowing that he loved us all and knew we loved him.
“He was so happy, content and excited about the future. The sweetest, kindest soul.
“He just went to sleep and didn’t wake up.
“I can’t imagine how the next days and weeks will unfold but I know we are able to cope – love always helps.
“I am him and he is me. Sleep tight Barney. Dad x
“Appreciate your kindness and sensitivity towards the family at this time.”
Government officially approves Eton’s plan to ‘remove barriers’ and open new FREE college in Oldham
Emily Sergeant
Eton’s plans to open a new free college in Oldham will officially go ahead following Government approval this week.
In case you need bringing up to speed a bit, plans for three new post-16 colleges – with the other two being in Dudley and Middlesborough – that are designed to help give young people who’ve done well in their GCSEs the opportunity to achieve the A-Levels they need to go to Oxbridge and other elite universities across the world were first announced back in March 2022, and then given the green light in August 2023.
Eton has partnered with Star Academies – which is said to be the highest-performing state school trust in the country – for the new colleges.
The colleges will aim to recruit ‘dynamic young people from deprived communities’, including in Oldham, and provide them with a ‘rigorous and rounded education’ that supports their ambitions to achieve places at ‘the very best universities’.
Oldham Council has welcomed the news that the new college – set to be named Eton Star Oldham – will go ahead, after the Government confirmed the conclusion of its national review into the proposals.
The decision means that Oldham will become one of the first places in the country to offer this new education model that combines high standards with strong partnerships and expanded opportunities for local young people.
The Government has officially approved Eton’s plan to open a new free college in Oldham / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Approval means pupils from every background will soon have access to the ‘very best’ opportunities.
Cllr Arooj Shah, who is the Leader of Oldham Coucil, said this is ‘great news’ for Oldham, adding: “Eton Star Oldham will give our young people access to life-changing opportunities, no matter their background or where they start in life.
“We have been clear throughout that this must be a college shaped with our young people, our parents and our communities.
“Now that the Government has confirmed it will go ahead, we will work closely with Eton College and Star Academies to make sure this delivers for Oldham’s children and opens doors for generations to come.”
Emily Sergeant -
16th March 2023 
