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 6 December: Man has ear bitten off in attack at mother's house
At around 10.30pm on Wednesday 4 December, two men forced their way in to the victim's mother's house on Piercy Street, Failsworth, chased the man through the house and attacked him in the backyard, punching, kicking and stamping on him.
One of the men then bit the victim's ear off.
The pair then ran out of the house and into a waiting silver car.
Both offenders are white and in their late 20s to early 30s. One of them was 6ft tall, of stocky build and was wearing a turquoise hooded top. The other man was of slim build and wore a hooded top.
Detective Sergeant John Coleman said: "While we believe this is an isolated incident and there is no reason for anyone in the area to be alarmed, this was a savage attack that has left a man permanently disfigured.
"I would urge any witnesses to come forward."
Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 0161 856 8821 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Piercy Street
Friday 6 December: CCTV images of Tameside shotgun thieves
Just after 6pm on Sunday 1 December 2013, two men walked into David Pluck Bookmakers, Reddish Lane, Denton and approached the kiosk wielding a sawn-off shotgun.
CCTV David Pluck BookmakersLuckily, the bookie employee saw the pair enter the shop and managed to lock herself into a secure area. The men tried to open the door and threatened her but left empty-handed towards Laburnum Road.
Anyone with information should phone police on 0161 856 9494 or the independently charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Thursday 5 December: Popular Clayton shop-keeper stabbed by robbers
Men carrying sticks and knives entered NA News on Stokes Street, Clayton, at around 4.20pm on Wednesday 4 December.
They threatened members of staff and when challenged by the shop-keeper, stabbed him in the leg and arm. The thieves stole cigarettes.
The shop-keeper was taken to hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. He is a popular man in the community and residents have been left angered by the incident.
All of the robbers were wearing balaclavas and dark clothing.
Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 0161 856 3521 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Offender 1
Wednesday 4 December: CCTV images of armed helmet bandits
At around 4.35pm on Friday 29 November two men wearing motorcycle helmets entered Carters Jewellers at Market Place in Knowsley Street, Bolton, and threatened staff with a machete and hammer.
Terrified staff lay on the floor as the thieves smashed cabinets and stole several items of jewellery.
The offenders then ran out Market Place towards the Knowsley Street entrance.
Offender 2Detective Inspector Phil Key said: "This was a violent, terrifying robbery for staff to be subjected to. The pair clearly had the audacity to carry out this robbery during a busy time, but we do know that there would have been witnesses who can help us.
"Anyone in Bolton who may have seen the offenders at around this time is urged to call us."
Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 0161 856 5619 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Monday 2 December: Stun gun robbers target Salford banqueting hall
At around 2.15am on Saturday 30 November, thieves struck the Buile Hall Park Banqueting Hall after the annual Salford Boy's Club sportsman's dinner.
Around 300 guests attended the event but had all left by the time the robbers struck.
Initially, the three men had got into a security guard's car and demanded to know who was inside.
The men got into the building and threatened staff with a stun gun, repeatedly activating it to intimidate them before making off with a significant amount of cash.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Taser-X26
Sunday 1 December: Four people arrested after North Manchester stabbing
At 10.10am on Saturday 30 November, police attended Cooper Lane in Blackley following reports that a 29-year-old man had suffered a stab wound. He was taken to hospital and remained in a critical condition.
Police believe the incident took place on Silchester Drive in Harpurhey.
Four men have been arrested and remain in custody.
Detective Inspector Ian Fields said: “We have been making significant enquiries since yesterday morning, but what we can tell people so far is that a man is continuing to receive urgent treatment in hospital and we have arrested four people in connection with this incident.
“We are still in the process of speaking to witnesses and neighbours to establish exactly what has taken place here, and we are keen to hear from anyone that has information that may help with these enquiries."
Anyone with information is asked to call police at Central Park police station on 0161 856 3544 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Silchester Drive
Saturday 30 November: Pub landlord pushes robber back out of window
At around 1am on Monday 25 November a pub landlord managed to ward off four masked robbers at the New Bridge Hotel, Micklehurst Road, Mossley.
The four men had climbed onto a low level roof and smashed a window with a hammer. Hearing the break-in, the 57-year-old landlord confronted the robbers and managed to push the first robber back out of the window and on to the low roof below.
The four men then threw the hammer and a roof slate up at the landlord and eventually retreated.
Detective Constable Karl Riley, based at Ashton-under-Lyne, said: “These criminals essentially laid siege to the pub, but they hadn’t reckoned on the landlord who was determined to defend his business come-what-may.
“I now want to hear from anyone who saw a number of men running away from the pub.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Micklehurst Road
