Viewers have been reacting after the documentary featuring exclusive access to the policing team responsible for the successful conviction of serial rapist Reynhard Sinaga aired on BBC2 last night.
Catching a Predator tells the inside story of Greater Manchester Police’s (GMP) ‘Operation Island’ – which culminated in the largest prosecution of its kind in the country’s legal history, where the UK’s most-prolific rapist Reynhard Sinaga was sentenced to 40 years in jail.
Sinaga was found guilty of committing 159 counts of sexual offences against 48 different men in Manchester.
Twitter was filled with reactions to the “harrowing” watch during and after it aired.
“What a harrowing and emotional documentary. I could see his flat from my uni halls bedroom. So utterly sickening what was happening on the road below that window. Such brave survivors and dedicated officers. Heartbreaking,” one tweet read.
ADVERTISEMENT
Another said: “That was a disturbing watch.”
I thought BBC2's documentary on Reynhard Sinaga was very good. Incredibly difficult watch but necessary. There really hasn't been enough acknowledgement of the sheer enormity & horror of what happened. So much respect to all the interviewees #CatchingAPredator
“I am in shock. A real life horror story. So many poor men who were assaulted and had to find out from the police.. heartbreaking. Recommend you watch – in a time we highlight men being violent it’s important to realise that men get raped too,” a third added.
ADVERTISEMENT
Another shocked Twitter user reacted: “This was harrowing – after the last few weeks these police and CPS were amazing and I hope they are being supported too. Brave victims to support the prosecution.”
“One of the most disturbing things I’ve ever watched – but well documented and an important message,” another reaction.
#Catchingapredator was a very hard but also such an eye opening watch, an unbelievable real life horror story 😞 Nothing can take away the fact though that Daniel, is one of the bravest men ever, what a true inspiration he is! 👏🏼
155 reports were received following a public appeal launched in January 2020 following the last of Sinaga’s four trials at Manchester Crown Court.
ADVERTISEMENT
23 of the 155 were confirmed as potential victims of Sinaga.
Of the 23 identified, 12 were previously recorded by the investigation as ‘unidentified victims’, and no further charges will be brought in respect of 23 further victims, as those concerned do not wish to support a prosecution and are satisfied with the convictions and sentence already secured.
The total number of male victims of Sinaga is believed to be 206, and Greater Manchester Police still believe that around 60 victims remain unidentified.
Greater Manchester Police also took to Twitter with a statement after the documentary aired.
A message regarding support services following broadcast of BBC documentary 'Catching a Predator'. Direct link to the Major Incident Public Portal is available here https://t.co/rmkIh9aOWWpic.twitter.com/uITu8vk0OY
GMP are continuing to urge people who believe they may have been a victim of Sinaga to come forward and, following the broadcast of the documentary, have reissued details on how to contact police and access support services.
ADVERTISEMENT
All reports made to police will be fully investigated, and information can be passed to police via the Major Incident Public Portal here.
“We are continuing to work together to support anyone else targeted by Reynhard Sinaga, and I would ask anyone who thinks they have been attacked by him to come forward,” said Detective Inspector Zed Ali, who is leading the investigation.
“You might not be completely sure what happened, or how to talk about it – but there is help available.”
Sinaga was found guilty of committing 159 counts of sexual offences against 48 different men in Manchester / Credit: Greater Manchester Police
If you missed it, you can watch Catching a Predator on BBC iPlayer here.
Featured Image – Greater Manchester Police
Trending
Home Bargains has announced a special two-day closure of all UK stores
Emily Sergeant
Home Bargains has, once again, announced it’ll be closing all its UK stores on both Boxing Day and New Year’s Day this year.
And it’s to make sure staff get a ‘well deserved break’.
After what has been yet another busy year for the retail industry, many workers have been left feeling like they could do with a little extra time off, which is why Home Bargains is following on with what has become a now-annual tradition by shutting up shop on two bank holidays.
All of our stores will be closing for Boxing Day & New Years Day.
Announcing the move in a post on social media, the discount retailer confirmed: “All of our stores will be closing for Boxing Day and New Years Day. We would like to thank all our colleagues for how hard you have worked this past year, and want you to relax and enjoy the Christmas break with your loved ones.”
Of course, this isn’t the first time the retailer has kept its doors shut on bank holidays.
Many shoppers will recall it has made the same decision to give hardworking staff a break every year since 2019.
Explaining a little more about the decision taken to close all its stores, Home Bargains said: “As a family-run business, we know the importance of being together at Christmas with those we care about most, now more than ever.
“This is our way of saying thank you to our colleagues for their continued hard work and dedication.”
Featured Image – Geograph
Trending
Two Greggs in Manchester will be serving their breakfast menu in the evening next week
Emily Sergeant
Who says breakfast has to end at 11am?
In news that’s set to be music to the ears of breakfast lovers in Manchester, Greggs is giving them exactly what they want.
We all know that brunch is a ‘thing’ by now, so now it’s time for brinner to make a name for itself instead, as Greggs has teamed up with Heinz to bring its much-loved breakfast menu back for tea time, kicking off from 4pm onwards.
The move comes as a new survey has found that the majority of Mancs (69%) admit to enjoying eating breakfast food in the evening, saying it’s ‘convenient and comforting’ – even ranking breakfast as a ‘more important’ meal than tea, as well (38% vs 36%).
Two Greggs in Manchester will be serving their breakfast menu in the evening next week / Credit: Greggs (Supplied)
Greggs says it has ‘lost count’ of the amount of customers that have tried to order breakfast items after the usual cut-off time, especially in Greater Manchester.
But luckily for those breakfast-loving Mancs, they can finally get their favourite breakfast and sauce pairing long after the morning rush is over next… but only at two Greggs branches, and only for a very limited time.
On Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 October, the Heinz x Greggs Brinner collab will be available at Greggs St Mary’s Gate and Greggs Oxford Road, from 4-7pm only.
“We’ve lost count of the number of customers who have tried their luck ordering breakfast after 11am, so when Heinz came to us with the idea of making Brinner a reality, it felt like the perfect excuse to give the people what they want,” explained Zoe Harris, who is the Customer Director at Greggs.
“And let’s be honest, a Greggs Bacon Roll just wouldn’t be the same without a squeeze of Heinz Tomato Ketchup.”
Emily Sergeant -
7th October 2021 
