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 22 March: Shotgun stolen in Didsbury
Police are appealing for witnesses after a shotgun, lawfully held, was stolen by thieves from pensioner in her Didsbury home.
Shortly after 9.05pm on Friday 21 March 2014, a 79-year-old woman was confronted by up to four intruders who had broken into her home on Wilmslow Road. It is believed some of the men were armed with weapons, including knives.
They demanded cash and jewellery from the victim, but while searching the premises found and stole a shotgun and ammunition.
The woman was not harmed.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 4423, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Friday 21 March: CCTV: Shotgun prison van escape gang convicted
A gang of men of women involved in the escape of Ryan MacDonald, 21, and Stevie McMullen, 31, from a prison van have been convicted.
On the morning of Tuesday 30 April 2013, MacDonald and McMullen were been transported in a GEOAmey prison van from HMP Altcourse in Merseyside to Manchester Crown Court to be put on trial for their roles in unconnected offences to commit robbery.
At 9am, as the van travelled along Regent Road, Salford, it was approached by a Saab motor vehicle containing Nathan Chapman, Anthony Smith, Matthew Patrick McGivern and a fourth as yet unidentified person. The gang attacked the van carrying an axe, sledge hammer and double barrelled shotgun and forced staff to release the pair.
McMullen and MacDonald then escaped with the gang in the Saab, but when the car broke down a short distance along Regent Road the gang ran off through the Ordsall estate. MacDonald escaped on the back of a motorbike driven by another man.
An immediate manhunt was launched.
Convicted were:
Ryan MacDonald (15/04/1993), Stevie McMullen (born 21/01/1982), Karla Withers (06/01/1985), Nathan Chapman (15/12/1988), Anthony Smith (24/09/1992), Matthew Patrick McGivern (17/07/1981), Marcus Hill (17/09/1985), Michael Crossley (16/08/1987), Michael Morrison (01/08/1995), Stephen Wilson (07/08/1995), Mavis Chapman (06/11/1949) and Ainsley MacDonald (03/05/1992).
Thursday 20 March: Plucky thieves dig 50ft tunnel to steal ATM
Thieves in Salford have stolen a large amount of cash from an ATM after digging a 50ft tunnel to get under the building.
The theft took place at around 6am on Friday 14 March from a Tesco store on Liverpool Road, Eccles.
According to police, the thieves had tunnelled into the store from adjoining wasteland and then escaped back through the tunnel with the cash.
Officers believe that the thieves may have been digging for a number of months and are appealing to locals for information.
DS Mark Toker from Salford Division said: "These people had obviously spent a long time plotting this crime and I doubt they would have been able to keep their plans secret for all that time, without telling others about their elaborate scheme.
"The offenders must have spent long periods of time in the area over the last few months, which people may have noticed.
You may have seen people acting suspiciously on Friday night, possible covered in soil."
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 5353 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Tunnel
Wednesday 19 March: Meat cleaver robbery in Levenshulme
At around 4.30pm on Friday 7 March, two men walked into a business on Stockport Road in Levenshulme and grabbed a 55-year-old worker.
Threatening the victim with a meat cleaver, the offenders tore off the his watch and demanded cash. Luckily, the victim was unharmed.
The first offender is described as being mixed race, in his 30s, 6ft tall, of medium build, was clean shaven, wore a baseball cap, brown leather gloves and brown jacket.
The second is described as being black, in his mid to late 20s, 5ft 7in tall, of slim build, wore a black baseball cap, blue jeans, black jacket and grey jumper.
Detective Constable Eric Smith based at West Didsbury Police Station said: "We are determined to find who is responsible for this crime but we need help from the public.
"Did you see two men matching this description in the area at the time of the robbery? If so, we are keen to hear from you."
Anyone with information should phone police on 0161 856 4973 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Monday 17 March: CCTV: Police renew appeal for information after fatal Chorlton hit-and-run
Police are continuing to investigate a fatal hit-and-run on Wilbraham Road, Chorlton (near to the Spread Eagle pub) involving a black Porsche Panamera reg. MX10 0BK at around 10.20pm on Monday 10 March.
The driver of the Porsche did not stop and left the victim, Craig Rodger, 25, critically injured in the road. Sadly, he later died in hospital.
Police have released CCTV footage of the Porsche travelling at speed moments before the collision. The Porsche was recovered after being found burned out and abandoned on Brookburn Road in Chorlton. Detective Chief Inspector Colin Larkin said: "Craig Rodger has lost his life in the most senseless of circumstances. I have no doubt that the driver did not intend to take a life last Monday night, but they did and that is the position they now find themselves in.
"I am appealing directly to whoever was driving that car to come in and tell us what happened. Craig's family deserve answers and you can take responsibility for what you have done."
Although police are still attempting to identify the driver, two men, 32 and 25, have been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and one man, 25, on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. They have been police bailed till 28 April 2014 pending further enquiries.
Anyone who knows the identity of the driver, witnessed the collision or has any information, should contact the police immediately on 0161 856 4741 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
