Here at Confidential we get a constant stream of reports, releases and updates from Greater Manchester Police. This is a small selection of the reports received so far this week, not all of them.
Some do make for depressing reading but it's worth remembering that Greater Manchester has a population of 2.6m and that recent figures show crime rates have fallen across both the region and the country.
Saturday 15 February: Inconclusive post-mortem for boy found dead in Oldham alleyway
Police are continuing to investigate the death of 15-year-old Leon Cudworth, found dead in an Oldham alleyway off Ripponden Road around 8am on Saturday 15 February.
A post mortem has proved inconclusive.
Chief Superintendent Chris Sykes said: “A post mortem to find the cause of death was inconclusive therefore further toxicology tests are required and his death remains unexplained at this time.
“I would reiterate that while there is nothing to suggest any wrong doing, we cannot rule out any third party involvement so we are continuing to fully investigate the circumstances of what happened.
“We would urge anyone with information to get in touch as your information, however small and insignificant it may seem, could help us to piece together the movements of this young man on Friday night into Saturday morning.
“We have officers patrolling the area so would ask anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in the area that night to speak to us.”
Anyone with information should call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Friday 14 February: Another gun-point robbery caught on CCTV
Police have release footage of a gun-point robbery at the Best One shop on Princess Road, Urmston.
The incident took place at around 8.40pm on Thursday 6 February.
The gunman stormed into the shop pointing a handgun at the shop worker, placed a blue bag on the counter and demanded cash and cigarettes whilst cocking the gun.
The shop worker filled the bag before the offender, described as wearing a small blue jacket with hood up, a black ski mask with only the eyes showing, dark trousers and purple latex gloves, made his way over Princess Road and down Balfour Road. Detective Constable Amanda Tootill said: “We have released CCTV of the robbery and would ask the public to get in touch with police if they know who may be responsible or who may have any other information about the robbery that day.”
Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 7652 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Thursday 13 February: CCTV of botched Oxford Road gun-point robbery
Police are commending the actions of University security after a gunman was detained following a botched attempted robbery of a student on Oxford Road.
At around 4am on 29 November 2013, Jason Dunne, 42, of Moss Side, approached an 18-year-old student and was seen on CCTV to produce a handgun (the gun was found to be an imitation) and threaten the victim.
Dunne demanded the victim's mobile phone and said to the student: "Do you want to be shot?" Luckily the victim fought off Dunne and escaped, catching him with a quick punch to the face while Dunne was distracted. University security were scrambled to the location and managed to detain Dunne until police arrived.
Jason DunneAt Manchester Crown Court on 6 February 2014, Dunne was jailed for five years after admitting attempted robbery and having an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence.
Detective Chief Inspector Colin Larkin, said: “Dunne is a prolific and persistent offender who was in an area heavily populated with students in the early hours of the morning with the sole intention of committing a robbery.
“As the CCTV explicitly shows he was armed with a gun, a terrifying weapon that he used to threaten his victim.
“Security staff at the university saw events unfolding and saw that he was armed with a gun. Despite this they have bravely and without consideration for their own safety set out to detain this man, which they did successfully.
“They could have had no idea that the gun was in fact an imitation and this makes their actions all the more impressive and worthy of recognition.
“I must also credit responding officers who were in the area within minutes and the investigation team who, working with the CPS, have ensured a dangerous criminal is off our streets.”
Wednesday 12 February: Fallowfield cyclist dies after collision with cement truck
A cyclist has died following a collision with a truck on Wilmslow Road at around 3.30pm on Tuesday 11 February.
The incident took place at the junction of Old Hall Lane and Wilbraham Road.
The cyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sergeant Lee Westhead from GMP's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "We are investigating the circumstances leading up to this collision and are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident to call us as soon as possible."
Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4742.
Tuesday 11 February: Man dies at Manchester Academy following overdose
UPDATE (12/02/14): The man has been named as Nikola Tomic from Newcastle
Shortly before 4.30am on Sunday 9 February police were called to Manchester Royal Infirmary after a 30-year-old man became gravely ill after consuming what is thought to have been sold as MDMA (a pure form of Ecstasy; image) at the Manchester Academy venue on Oxford Road.
Sadly, the man died the following day on Monday 10 February.
Detective Inspector Ian Cottrell, said: “Sadly this man has died after becoming unwell during a night out at The Academy and I want to reassure his friends and family as well as the wider community that we have launched an investigation to establish exactly what happened.
“While we are keeping an open mind we suspect that drugs are a factor in this man’s death.
“Were you in the venue on Saturday night and did you see anything untoward or suspicious? Did you see anyone selling drugs inside the venue or someone collapse inside?
“If so, please call us.
“I would also like to take the opportunity to remind people of the potential consequences of taking illicit drugs. You can never know exactly what you are taking or what reaction you will have and as this incident so tragically highlights, the consequences can be dire, not only for the person taking them but also for their family and friends.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 4223.
MDMA
