A grandmother was left with a black eye after reportedly being struck by a police officer outside an Oldham supermarket last weekend.
A video surfaced online this week appearing to show an officer swinging at 50-year-old Colleen Murphy – who was attempting to intervene as her son was apprehended for being “drunk and disorderly”.
The incident, which took place outside Sainsbury’s on Union Street, was captured on camera by witnesses and then posted online.
Greater Manchester Police said it has referred the incident to its Professional Standards Department, where body camera footage will be analysed.
This video's emerged appearing to show a police officer punching a 50-year-old woman outside an Oldham supermarket. Colleen Murphy suffered a black eye. @gmpolice has referred the incident to its Professional Standards Department, who'll be looking at body-worn camera footage. pic.twitter.com/JKmWEsl0LM
Ms Murphy’s daughter, Danielle Willisford, told the Manchester Evening News she had entered the store with her brother, leaving her mother and cousin to use the cash machine outside.
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According to Ms Willisford, her mother and cousin were barred from entering the supermarket.
A confrontation then occurred.
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Ms Willisford stated: “My brother goes to the security guard ‘I’m not barred, am I?’ and there were three policemen: one woman and two men.
“He stepped into Sainsbury’s and then the policeman in the yellow top said ‘you are barred, I just told you, you are barred’ and then started shouting and my brother just said ‘will you please get out of my face I’ve done nothing wrong’.
“Anyway, he grabbed him and flung him onto the floor and the full video is what happened after that.”
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During the video, a woman is seen approaching police performing an arrest before one officer seems to throw a punch in retaliation.
Horrifying video shows Grandma being punched in the face by GMP police officer during scuffle outside Sainsbury's https://t.co/BZqgEbUNWR
A police spokesperson for GMP reads: “This incident took place after police were called just after 9pm on 7 August and responded to a report of a disturbance on Union Street, Oldham. A 31-year old-male was subsequently arrested for being drunk and disorderly.
“At the time of his arrest a crowd had gathered, and footage of the incident has been uploaded onto social media.
“The footage shows an altercation with members of the public attempting to intervene, while officers placed the man under arrest. The man received a fixed penalty notice (FPN) for being drunk and disorderly. There were no injuries reported.
“The incident has been referred to our Professional Standards Department, who will review the Body Worn Video of events leading up to the arrest, along with the footage posted.”
Oldham
‘Complex’ Metrolink repairs to the Rochdale via Oldham line could take weeks to complete
Emily Sergeant
Work currently underway on the Rochdale via Oldham line is expected to take several weeks to complete.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has confirmed that land movement affecting the Metrolink network near Derker has now “slowed”, and this means that detailed ground investigations and temporary repair works have been able to get underway.
In order for trams to run again on the crucial line from the city centre to the two major Greater Manchester towns, TfGM says that a small section of track has to be moved back – also known as ‘slewed’ – into its original position.
The overhead line poles also need to be repaired too, the transport operator revealed.
Rochdale line update
Land movement affecting the Metrolink network near Derker has slowed, enabling detailed ground investigations and temporary repair works to get underway.
To get trams running again, a small section of track has to be moved back into its original position… pic.twitter.com/byERjitdi1
Unfortunately though, due to the “complex” nature of these works, and despite the fact that TfGM says it’s actively looking to “accelerate” the repairs, the project is expected to take up to five weeks to complete in full.
On top of this, the detailed ground investigations will also establish whether any further work to strengthen foundations beneath the track will be needed at a later date.
TfGM has apologised for the inconvenience caused to passengers.
‘Complex’ Metrolink repairs to the Rochdale via Oldham line could take weeks to complete / Credit: TfGM
Speaking on the scale of works currently underway, and how long he expects them to continue for, Pete Sommers, who is TfGM’s Network Director for Metrolink, said: “I’m sorry for the impact this is having, and will continue to have, on people’s journeys.
“We are working to get trams running through the area again, but this remains a complex and challenging issue and it could still be a few weeks before this happens.
“We will of course keep passengers updated, and I’d encourage people to check our social media channels and website for the latest information and advice.”
Rochdale and Oldham trams suspended due to ‘land movement’ along track
Daisy Jackson
A busy section of Manchester’s tram network will be suspended on Wednesday due to ‘land movement’.
Metrolink services will be unable to run any further than Oldham Mumps while engineers investigate.
The Bee Network announced on Tuesday evening that trams along the Rochdale and Oldham line had been operating with speed restrictions.
But due to ‘some land movement affecting the track’ between Derker and Shaw and Crompton, the line will be partially suspended on Wednesday 10 July.
The severity and nature of the land movement has not yet been announced.
Customers in Rochdale and Oldham will be able to use their tickets on local bus services instead while trams are suspended.
Pete Sommers, TfGM’s Network Director for Metrolink, said: “The safety of our passengers, staff and the wider public is our absolute priority, which is why we have made these decisions.
“I understand this will be frustrating for passengers, and am sorry for the impact on people’s journeys.
“We will provide an update as soon as possible and I’d encourage people who usually travel in the area to check our app, website and social media channels for the latest information and advice.”
Ticket acceptance will be in place on the 17, 57, 59, 81, 83, 84, 114, 149, 181, 182, 402, 403, 409, 411, 434, 435, 436, 450, 451, 455 and 471 bus services and rail services between Rochdale and Manchester City Centre.
Simply show the driver/inspector your Metrolink ticket or pass when boarding.
The 434, 435, 436, 450, 451 and 455 services operate every hour.
If you require journey assistance, you can call Metrolink on 0161 205 2000 or use the customer call points at the stop.