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.
Sunday 31 March: Man dies on M61
Around 11.20pm on Saturday 29 March 2014, a Skoda Octavia travelling southbound on the M61 was in collision with a pedestrian in the carriageway between Rivington North Services and Junction 6.
Sergeant Lee Westhead from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: "We are working to establish the full circumstances leading to this young man's death. At this stage it is not clear how or why he came to be walking on the motorway.
"Our efforts to identify the man have proved to be unsuccessful, however we believe he may have been to a Tinie Tempah concert at the O2 Apollo in Manchester earlier in the evening."
Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 4741.
Friday 28 March: Male nurse arrested following hospital deaths
A man has been arrested in connection with the deliberate contamination of products, poisoning and tampering of medical records at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport.
Male nurse Victorino Chua, 48, has been arrested on suspicion of murdering Tracey Arden, 44, Arnold Lancaster, 71 and Alfred Derek Weaver, 83, and eighteen counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and offences of poisoning. Five other the eighteen have since died.
Thursday 27 March: Girl suffers robbery and attempted rape in Gorton
UPDATE (27/03): A 16 year-old boy has been arrested and charged with robbery, sexual assault and assault.
The victim, 17, was walking down Pinkbank Lane at around 7pm on Wednesday 19 March when she was attacked from behind by two boys.
One put a knife to her throat as she was dragged down 'Red Path' passage which runs off Pink Bank Lane opposite Elgar Street junction.
As she attempted to fend them off she was dragged over the bridge to nearby wasteland.
She was robbed and punched as one of the men attempted to rape her. They then made off down the right fork in the path that leads to Gorton.
One offender is described as a light-skinned Eastern European man, aged between 17 and 19 years old and is around 6ft tall with a skinny build. He had a thin moustache, bushy eyebrows and had short, black hair that was gelled at the top.
Both are thought to live locally, as the victim believes she has seen them in the area before.
Detective Inspector Tanya Kitchen said: “This was a shocking and violent attack against a girl walking to a friend’s house on her own.
“It was a harrowing and deeply distressing experience for the young woman, and the horrific details of the crime will surely concern the community as a whole.
“We will be stepping up patrols in the area and we would ask anyone who might have seen the two boys to call us as soon as possible.”
Anyone with information should phone police on 0161 856 1898 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Tuesday 25 March: Police praise Derby Day fans
Greater Manchester Police have praised the fans of Manchester United and Manchester City following the derby match at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.
Out of 76,000 fans, there were only four arrests: Two for being drunk and disorderly, one public order offence and one for possession of class A drugs.
Match commander, Chief Superintendent John O’Hare said: “The derby is always an exciting fixture and I am pleased to say that the supporters of both clubs did themselves proud this evening.
“There was a great atmosphere despite the rain and both sets of supporters attended the match in the spirit of the game.
“There were only four arrests for relatively minor offences which is a great success given there were around 76,000 fans in attendance.
“It is a credit to both sets of supporters that incidents of criminality and anti-social behaviour continue to be the exception in Manchester derby fixtures and the reputations of two great clubs remain intact.”
Monday 24 March: Woman sexually assaulted in city centre
At around 4.30am on Sunday 23 March a 24-year-old woman was walking to her car on Water Street, by the Marriot Hotel, when she noticed a man following her.
The man approached the victim and spoke to her before passing her by. He then turned around and grabbed the woman, pinning her against a wall and punching her in the face.
He then ran off towards Spinningfields.
The man is described as being white, in his late 20s to early 30s, around 5ft 9in tall, large build, short dark hair, he wore light coloured jeans, white trainers, light coloured jacket and spoke with a local accent.
Detective Constable Dan Smith said: “This was a violent attack on a woman who was walking to her car. Not only has she been sexually assaulted but she has been punched, causing bleeding and swelling to her eye.
“I would ask anyone who may have witnessed the attack or who may recognise the description of the man to contact us. Although we are stepping up patrols in the area, I would also urge people to try and not walk on their own at this time of the morning, stay in well-lit areas and be aware of their surroundings.”
Anyone with information should phone police on 0161 856 3221 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
The attack took place close to the Marriot Hotel on Water Street
Monday 24 March: Shameless workers steal cash from elderly Irlam man
At around 1pm on Monday 10 March, two men forced their way into the home of an 82-year-old man on Boat Lane, Irlam, after they had completed work at a neighbours.
Before a price was agreed, the thieves had made their way into the property and as one of the offenders distracted the man, the othger took cash.
The men then made off towards the Bird Estate.
One man is described as being white, 5ft 8in tall, in his late 20s, of slim build, had light brown hair, wore a black baseball cap, black jacket with a white logo on the hood, black jogging bottoms and black trainers.
The other is described as being white, 5ft 5in tall, of slim build, had dark blonde hair, wore a baseball cap, black Lonsdale jacket, khaki camouflage trousers and black trainers.
Police Constable Fiona Butler said: “These men purposefully targeted an elderly man and talked their way inside his home before stealing his cash.
“This is a callous crime and we are determined to bring these heartless men to justice. However, for us to do this, we need help from the public.
“A photo was taken of the pair and although we cannot see their faces, it gives an example of the types of build and clothes they were wearing.
“If you recognise them, please contact us.”
Anyone with information should phone police on 0161 856 5353 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Thieves
