Police are appealing for witnesses to a “large-scale violent disorder” that happened in Bolton during the early hours to come forward.
After calls came in at around 1am yesterday morning (11 September 2023) that initially reported fireworks being set off in the Halliwell Road area of the Greater Manchester town, officers then received further reports that fights had subsequently broken out in the same area.
Officers from GMP’s Bolton district attended the scene to find that two men has sustained “serious injuries” during the disorder.
Four scenes were put in place on residential streets off Halliwell Road / Credit: Google Maps
Four men, who are each aged 25, 27, 31, and 35, have since been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder following the incident, and they remain in custody for questioning, GMP has confirmed.
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Four scenes were put in place on Maria Street/Gladstone Street, Madeley Gardens, Bride Street, and Weymouth Street in Halliwell while officers worked with Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) to process information – but these have largely been closed now.
With an investigation now currently underway, police have issued a public appeal for information and are asking that potential witnesses come forward.
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Halliwell Road in Bolton / Credit: Google Maps
“What appeared to start as anti-social behaviour in relation to fireworks, quickly descended into large-scale violet disorder,” Detective Inspector Stuart Woodhead of GMP’s Bolton division, explained of the nature of the incident.
“This is completely unacceptable on the streets of Bolton [and we would be interested in speaking with anyone who may have witnessed the incident”.
Do you have any information that may be able to help assist with this investigation? You can contact GMP via 101, the CID office directly on 0161 85 65757, or via the Live Chat function on www.gmp.police.uk.
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You can also pass over information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GMP
News
Family of ‘loving’ Harpurhey mum pay touching tribute to her as man is charged with murder
Emily Sergeant
The family of a ‘loving’ Harpurhey mum have paid a heartfelt tribute to her as a man has been charged with murder.
The tribute has been released after Greater Manchester Police (GMP) was called to an address on Queens Road, in the Harpurhey area of Manchester, in the early hours of the morning at 4:07am this Monday just gone (7 April).
Sadly, despite the speed with which officers arrived on the scene, a 51-year-old woman was found dead on arrival.
GMP has now confirmed her identity as Clare Burns.
#TRIBUTE | The family of a “loving mother” have released a tribute as man charged with murder.
Clare Burns sadly died in Harpurhey on Monday morning. Leonard Lee Stewart (8.4.70) of Queens Road, Manchester, has been charged with murder.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) April 9, 2025
Paying tribute to Clare following her passing, her family wrote: “Clare was a loving mother, auntie, sister and daughter. She was funny, outgoing and a very independent person. She was also kind, generous and friendly to anyone she met.
“Clare would always light up the room she entered, and she was a brilliant friend to many. We will miss her dearly.”
With a murder investigation subsequently launched, a 55-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder at the scene, following initial enquiries.
The family of a ‘loving’ Harpurhey mum have paid a touching tribute to her as a man is charged with murder / Credit: GMP
Leonard Lee Stewart, from Manchester, has been charged with murder, and the 54-year-old remained in police custody ahead of his next appearance at Manchester City Magistrates’ Court today (Wednesday 9 April).
Due to past contact between GMP, and the victim and suspect, it’s been confirmed that the Professional Standards Directorate have made a voluntarily referral to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) – which is now assessing the case.
Anyone with any information about this case is asked to contact GMP via the case’s major incident portal here, or by calling the incident room on 0161 856 3635.
Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GMP
News
New driving test cancellation rules introduced by DVSA to reduce waiting times
Emily Sergeant
Learner drivers will now be required to give longer notice periods when they need to cancel their driving tests in a bid to reduce waiting lists.
Up until this week, anyone who had booked a driving test which they could no longer attend had to change or cancel their appointment within three full working days notice, but now, as of yesterday (8 April), the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) requires learner drivers to give 10 days’ notice.
If learners fail to provide the 10 full working days’ notice, then they will not be able to redeem their test fee back.
According to the DVSA’s new rules, only Monday to Saturday count as working days, while Sundays and public holidays do not.
But why has the change been introduced?
The short notice cancellation period for car driving tests changes today ⚠️
You'll now need to give 10 working days' notice to cancel or change your car driving test without losing your fee.
— Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (@DVSAgovuk) April 8, 2025
Well, according to the DVSA, lots of people who are not ready to take their driving test leave it until right at the last moment to change or cancel it, and although that appointment then becomes available to other learner drivers, many of them tend to go unused, given the fact it’s so close to the test date and they may not feel prepared enough.
So, the DVSA hopes that by asking learner drivers to give more notice, it should give other people more chance to use the appointment, and ultimately reduce driving test waiting times.
New driving test cancellation rules have been introduced by the DVSA to reduce waiting times / Credit: pxfuel
There are, of course, some exceptions to the rule, with some learners still being able to apply for a refund at short notice if they have an illness or injury, have suffered a bereavement, have to take a school or college exam, or have their provisional driving license stolen.
On top of this, the DVSA has confirmed that it will continue to pay out-of-pocket expenses for any car driving tests that it has to cancel with fewer than three full working days’ notice.
Emily Sergeant -
12th September 2023 
