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 9 March: Two arrested after Bolton murder
Police investigating the death of Marc Jepson in Farnworth arrested a man, 27, and a woman, 63, on Sunday 9 March 2014.
On Wednesday 5 March police were called to a house on Kildare Street after the body of Marc Jepson, 40, was found.
A post mortem examination concluded he died as a result of asphyxiation.
Detectives launched a murder investigation and are continuing to appeal for witnesses. Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 5599 or crime stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Friday 7 March: Gang attack woman like 'animals stalking their prey'
A group of four girls and four male youths stalked a woman, 20, and then attacked her like 'animals stalking their prey', according to police.
At around 11pm on Wednesday 5 March the woman had left a friend's house in the Fallowfield area and was walking home on Wilmslow Road towards Rusholme. As she crosses Dickenson Road the gang are seen on CCTV to start following her.
After around a mile, as the woman walked beneath a bridge close to St Peter's Chapel, one of the group grabbed her hair and pulled her to the floor. One of the gang held down the woman's legs while the other offenders continued to kick, punch and stamp on her.
Luckily, a passer-by intervened, causing the offenders to run off along Oxford Road, they then met up with friends on Upper Brook Street.
The victim was taken to hospital with severe bruising.
Detective Sergeant John Robb, said: “This was a vicious, premeditated and sustained attack on an innocent woman.
“Acting like animals stalking their prey, the offenders followed her for quite some distance before striking in an area they thought was more isolated than any other part of the route she had taken.
“I want to reassure the community that such incidents are rare and these offenders will not get away with what they have done.
“It is only by sheer luck more than anything else that this woman did not suffer more serious injuries, such was the ferocity of the attack.
“We have already reviewed dozens of CCTV cameras and I am absolutely confident we will identify these girls so I would urge them to come and give us an account of what happened before we come knocking on their doors.
“I also believe the victim was oblivious to the fact she was followed for such a long distance due to being distracted by listening to music and I want to remind people just how important it is to be aware of your surroundings, especially when out walking alone at night.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police at Wigan CID on 0161 856 7124 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Friday 7 March: 24-year-old Salford woman stabbed to death
At around 9.15am on Thursday 6 March, police were called to an address on Holt Street, Salford, where they found the body of Rebecca Ayres, 24, who had suffered multiple stab wounds. This is believed to be a domestic incident.
A 25-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of murder, remains in police custody for questioning.
Anyone with information should phone police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Wednesday 5 March: Thief steals car... and a dog
Shortly after 5.10pm on Saturday 1 March, a 51-year-old man was at Virdor recycling plant at Spring Vale, Middleton, when a thief jumped into his silver Kia Venga (reg LD62 ENF) and drove off... with the victim's dog in the back.
'Where dya think you're going pal?'The victim, trying to stop the thief, was hit by his own vehicle and dragged a short way along the road.
He suffered bruising to his leg and head. The dog was later found abandoned and returned to the man.
Detective Constable Charlie Stewart, said: “The man had turned his back for a second when this opportunistic thief jumped in and sped off.
“I would like to take the opportunity to remind people to never leave car keys in an ignition while you are away from your vehicle, even if it is for just a few seconds, because as this incident shows, a thief can strike in the blink of an eye.”
Thief stole victim's silver Kia Venga and his dog
Wednesday 5 March: Three arrested after man deliberately run over
Three men, 21, 21 and 23, were last night arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a man being deliberately run down on Warrington Road, Wigan.
Full story below.
Tuesday 4 March: Gun gang run man down in Wigan
At around 8.30pm on Argyll Street in Wigan a gang of four men deliberately ran down a man with a silver Ford Fiesta with blacked out windows (or similar). The car had been following the man's Audi A4, when the victim stopped on Warrington Road the gang pulled up next to him and pointed a firearm in his direction.
The victim got out of the car, the gang then drove up the road and a man got out, pointing the gun at the victim once more.
When the victim ran back to his car the offenders mounted the pavement and ran the man down with their car.
The man is currently in hospital in a serious condition. No shots were fired.
Detective Inspector Martin Reddington from Wigan CID said: “Clearly this is a very worrying set of circumstances in which we believe this man has been deliberately targeted by these offenders.
“I understand people will be scared when they hear news of what has happened, but I would like to reassure them if I can that we do not believe this was a random attack and we have a number of resources dedicated to identifying these people to take them off our streets.
“We are appealing for the public’s help and are asking for any witnesses to come forward that saw the silver car flashing its lights as it drove behind the victim from Goose Green. Did you perhaps see the registration plate, or did you see the actual incident itself on Argyll Street, or where the offending car drove off to afterwards?
“You may think that what you saw is only trivial, but it could be vital to our investigation, so please get in touch.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police at Wigan CID on 0161 856 7124 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Tuesday 4 March: Thieves posing as gardeners steal from 89-year-old dementia sufferer
Between 9-11am on Wednesday 26 February, two men posing as gardeners targeted an elderly dementia sufferer at her home on Bransby Avenue in Blackley.
They offered the woman gardening services, ripping up trees and bushes, leaving the garden in a shoddy state.
The two men returned on Thursday 27 February and without permission, went into the house and stole the lady's keys and purse. The men were wearing green tshirts.
It was only when a bank cashier noticed the woman taking out large sums of money on consecutive days that police were made aware.
Detective Sergeant John Yates, said: “I hope the rest of the community is as sickened as the police are to hear how these two men have stolen from this elderly lady in this manner.
“They targeted an extremely vulnerable woman who suffers from dementia and is very confused.
“We do not know how many times these men have been to her house, we know they have been on at least two occasions, once to carry out the shoddy work in the back garden and again to steel her purse and house keys.
“If you don’t want to pass on information directly to police, you can do this anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101.
Police are looking for the thieves
Monday 3 March: Seven charged following police raid on Piccadilly Gardens
On 29 November 2013 police executed a number of warrants in Piccadilly Gardens to target drug dealing and anti-social behaviour.
Seven men have been charged with offences all relating to the intent to supply cannabis.
Saloum Jeng, 39, Salifu Sidibeh, 40, Delano Moulton, 40, Isiah Thompson 22, Baboucarr Njie, 32, Mohammed Cisse, 31 and Cristina Rubio Sachez, 35, were all charged and shall appear at Manchester magistrates' court in the next two weeks.
