Here at Confidential we get regular reports, releases and updates from Greater Manchester Police. This is a selection of the reports received so far this week, not all of them. Some make depressing reading so it's worth remembering Greater Manchester has a population of 2.6m and that recent figures show crime has fallen dramatically across both the region and the country.
Friday 20 September: Attempted abduction of 12-year-old girl
Police are appealing for witnesses after a stranger put his hand across the mouth of a 12-year-old school girl in Blackley as she made her way home from school on Pike Fold Lane.
The victim screamed and the man ran off towards French Barn Lane.
The incident took place at around 3.30pm on Wednesday 18 September 2013. the man is described as being white, of a slim build, between 17 and 25 and about 6ft tall with a bald head. He was wearing a short sleeved top and jeans.
Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 0161 856 3925 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Pike Fold Lane from French Barn Lane
Friday 20 September: Elderly woman held at knife point
At around 9.45pm on Saturday 14 September 2013 four offenders approached a house on Grangethorpe Drive in Burnage, kicked through the kitchen door and confronted the 76-year-old victim and her husband in the lounge.
Two of the thieves went upstairs and searched the bedrooms while the others remained downstairs with the victims, holding a hunting knife to the pair.
Fearing for her life, the victim handed over jewellery before the men ran off.
The men are described as slim black or Asian men between the ages of 20 and 22. They all wore dark clothing with the hoods up.
Grangethorpe Drive
Detective Constable Mark Evans from South Manchester division, said: “Luckily the elderly victim was not injured during her ordeal, but has been left understandably distraught.
“The items are not only worth a considerable amount of money but they hold great sentimental value to the victim.
“We have released images of the stolen jewellery and I would ask pawnbrokers and other outlets who offer cash for gold and similar items to be mindful of this incident and if they are approached with a view to buying the goods please get in touch.
“I would also urge anyone who may have witnessed this incident, or have any information about the robbery to call the police as soon as possible.”
Anyone with information can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or speak to police on 0161 856 4973.
Stolen Bracelet And Rings
Thursday 19 September: Cyclists stung by rope booby trap
A rope that had purposefully been strung across a footpath at head level on Bryn Road, Bryn, has caught two unsuspecting cyclists unawares.
The two cyclists, 51 and 41, both suffered injuries including a dislocated shoulder and bruising to the face within an hour of each other in the early hours of 5 September.
Detective Constable Andrew Hill, Wigan CID, said: "This is one of the stupidest and most reckless acts I have ever seen.
"It's only by sheer good luck that these innocent cyclist weren't seriously injured or even killed. Whoever did this deliberately placed the rope at head height for optimum effect, and it could so easily have proved devastatingly successful.
"The victims were using a temporary footpath so it's conceivable that the culprit had been annoyed at cyclists riding on the path. However, no amount of frustration can ever justify this crime.
"I now want to hear from anyone who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously."
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 5307 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Bryn Road
Wednesday 18 September: CCTV of city centre phone snatch
At around 4.15pm on Friday 6 September a woman had her mobile phone snatched from her hand by a thief on a BMX bike just outside of Harvey Nics on New Cathedral Street.
He then rode off with another man also on a bike. Both men were wearing dark clothing.
Detective Constable Adam Cronshaw is keen to drive home the dangers and ease of these kind of offences, he said: "I want to make two appeals in relation to this incident; firstly I am eager to try and locate the offender so if anyone recognises someone from the footage, thinks they know who these two are or has any other relevant information please get in touch.
"Secondly, I need to drive home personal safety advice to try and reduce these types of offences, which are unfortunately happening far too frequently in the city centre.
"We work hard to target people committing these offences, be it through awareness campaigns, high visibility patrols in the city centre, offender targeting and by working closely with retail outlets that purchase goods like mobiles, making it harder for criminals to get a quick sell.
"But thefts like this or 'hugger-mugger' type incidents where criminals are targeting high-value mobiles that they can quickly swipe and sell are on the increase and, with the return of the student population, they will only increase unless people start taking precautions with their valuables.
"Some headphones that allow you to talk or listen to music while keeping your phone secure in your pocket is just one simple precaution that will help prevent you falling victim to something like this."
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call police on 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Wednesday 18 September: Whitefield man kidnapped and shot
Police are currently investigating a report that a 28-year-old man from Whitefield was kidnapped near his home and taken to West Yorkshire where he was shot.
On Sunday 8 September 2013 at around 12.30pm, police were informed of concern for the man who had failed to return home.
A short time later the man was located, having suffered a gunshot wound, around the Holmfirth area of West Yorkshire.
The man remains in a stable condition in hospital.
Detective Chief Inspector Ian Crewe of GMPs Major Incident Team, said: "What we do know for sure is that he left his house at about 9.30am Sunday morning and was driven away in a black Ford Focus.
"He was later found with a gunshot injury near Holmfirth just over three hours later.
"We now want to appeal to anyone who can help us build up a detailed picture of what happened between leaving the house and being found with a gunshot wound.
"We are particularly keen to identify anyone or any unfamiliar vehicles seen in the area of Stanway Road, Whitefield on that Sunday morning."
Anyone who has information about the circumstances surrounding this incident should contact the incident room on 0161 856 1722 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Stanway Road, Whitefield
Male e-fitTuesday 17 September: 92 year old woman helps e-fit cruel cons
A 92-year-old woman who was the victim of a bogus official burglary in her Middleton home has helped police produce e-fits of the man and woman responsible.
Money was stolen from the pensioner after the pair knocked on the door of the house on Hollin Lane, at about 12.30pm on Friday 26 July 2013.
They claimed to be from Age Concern and the victim let them in and showed them to the front room while she made them a drink.
When she went back to the room, she noticed the woman behind a sofa, where her handbag was.
The meeting lasted about 15 minutes, with the woman asking about photographs in the room.
After the pair left, the victim became suspicious, checked her handbag and noticed that cash had been stolen.
Female e-fitThe victim has limited mobility, and during the investigation officers have been going to see her, including specialist officers from the imaging unit, who sat with the victim and drew up the e-fits.
The man is described as being Asian, between 40 and 45-years-old, about 6ft tall and of medium build. He had jet black hair and was clean shaven.
The woman was Asian, in her early to mid 30s, 5ft 1in tall and of heavy build. She had cropped black hair and was wearing a skirt and sleeveless top.
Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 0161 856 8742 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Tuesday 17 September: Stretford finds burglars in the house
A woman was confronted by burglars when she returned to her Stretford home.
At about 2.20pm on 12 September 2013, the 48-year-old woman returned to her home on Edge Lane, where she was confronted by two intruders in her hallway.
The woman ran from the house shouting for help and the two thieves escaped by climbing over a garage and running off towards Wansbeck Lodge.
They forced entry into the house by breaking down a side door. The men also smashed the sounding alarm with an unknown item.
While in the house they conducted a search of the property and stole two laptops, and i-Pad and a mobile phone.
One offender was white, about 21 years old, 5ft 10in tall and of slim build. He had short fair hair and was wearing a dark hooded top and grey tracksuit bottoms.
The second offender is described as white, 21 years old and of medium build.
Police Constable Jackie Donohue, said: “The victim got quite a shock when she returned home to find two burglars in her hallway and is obviously upset and distressed at knowing they have rummaged through her personal belongings and stolen personal possessions.
“If anyone was in the area and saw these two men at the time of the burglary or thinks they know who they are then please call us.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Monday 16 September: Shopkeeper fights off robbers with shoe
A SHOP worker bravely fought off middle-of-the-night robbers - despite being attacked with a knife.
At about 1.20am on Saturday 14 September 2013, two masked men went into the Mercury Service Station on Manchester Rd, Westhoughton.
They were immediately confronted by the member of staff, who took off one of his shoes and grabbed a glass jar in an attempt to fight the pair off.
One of the offenders was openly carrying a knife and threatened the man with it, prodding at the victim’s arm each time he tried to fight them off.
After a few seconds the offenders backed off and ran away empty handed.
The victim suffered two puncture wounds to his arm and later needed 12 stitches.
Both of the offenders were black men. The man with the knife was about 6ft tall, of medium build and in his early to mid 20s. His accomplice was about 5ft 9in tall and of medium build.
Detectives are appealing to trace a woman who walked into the store seconds before the incident and is likely to have witnessed the whole encounter.
Detective Constable Malcolm Cheetham said: "This man's heroic actions meant that these thieves were able to get away empty handed, but for his trouble he was wounded.
"We will do all we can to find the men responsible.
"We are appealing for witnesses but in particular we need to hear from the woman who walked in only moments before but didn’t stick around to give the police her account probably because she was so shaken up.
"We need to find out everything that she may have heard or seen, including before the robbery. We urge her to get in touch as soon as possible."
Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 0161 856 1527 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Monday 16 September: Assault, jaws and the dangers of drink
POLICE are trying to establish how a man suffered fractures to his face during a party at a flat in Rochdale.
On 23 August 2013, a 37-year-old man attended a party at Bromfield flats, Lower Falinge.
While at the address the man came round to be told by a woman that he had been assaulted. He has no recollection of the assault and did not report it to police at the time however police did respond to reports of fighting on that night.
The man left moments later and attended hospital the following day where it was established he had three facial fractures.
Detective Constable Chris Whalley, said: “We firmly believe the victim was assaulted at the party, but the fact he has no recollection of events means we are having to try to piece together exactly what happened for him.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 8458, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
