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 10 May: Woman stabbed in neck in Rochdale
Just after 8.45pm on Thursday 8 May 2014, a 30-year-old woman was stood with two friends when she was approached by a man.
There was a short discussion and walked to a footbridge that crosses from Lincoln Street to Oldham Road.
Following another short discussion, the man hit her, knocking her to the ground. He demanded money before stabbing her in the neck with a knife and running off in the direction of Oldham Road.
The man left empty handed. The woman was taken to hospital for treatment but was later released.
The offender is described as being white, in his 30s to early 40s, short, of large build, had curly brown hair, wore a dark coloured suit, white/light coloured shirt and dark coloured tie.
Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Jones said: "This was an unprovoked and vicious attack on a sex worker which left her with a knife in her neck. Fortunately, her injuries were not serious but she has been very lucky and we could have been dealing with a murder."
Anyone with information should phone police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Thursday 8 May: Woman sexually assaulted on Hyde bus
At around 10pm on Friday 25 April 2014, a 22-year-old woman was sat on the top deck of the 201 bus from Piccadilly to Hyde when a man approached her and sexually assaulted her.
The man got off at Ashworth Lane and walked off towards John Kennedy Road, Hattersley.
He is described as being white, in his late teens, of medium build, 5ft 6in tall with light brown hair. He wore a dark hooded jacket with patches on the arms, dark jeans, leather belt, trainers and spoke with a local accent.
Detective Constable Fiona Rigby from Tameside South INPT said: “From what we have been told, we believe there were two girls and a man on the top deck of the bus before the woman was attacked.
“We believe the girls may have known the offender and we are asking them to contact us. They are described as being in their mid to late teens, one had dark hair, possibly called Olivia, and the other had blonde hair. It is thought they got off at the Underwood Road stop.
Anyone with information should phone police on 0161 856 9484 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Wednesday 7 May: Man charged following Arndale rape
John Ferrier, 70, of Ormskirk Road, Wigan, has been charged with the rape of an 11-year-old boy and possession of a knife.
He is due to appear at Manchester City Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 22 May 2014.
At around 4.50pm on Thursday 17 October 2013, police received a report that the boy had been approached in the toilets of the Arndale shopping centre in Manchester city centre and raped.
Tuesday 6 May: Convicted gangster climbs big wheel in protest
At around 3.30pm on Tuesday 6 May, it is reported that well-known Manchester gangster, Domenyk Noonan, 49, clambered up Manchester's Big Wheel in Piccadilly Gardens in a reported protest at a recall to prison.
He stayed up there for six and a half hours.
Police arrested the man at around 10pm for aggravated trespass.
Noonan was jailed in 2005 for firearms offences. In the same year Noonan's brother, Desmond Noonan, who had bragged on a TV documentary about his part in numerous murders, was stabbed to death in South Manchester and dumped in Chorlton.
David Blaine is said to be incensed at the half-arsed imitation.
Protest
Tuesday 6 May: Woman raped in Manchester city centre hotel room
SuspectOn Saturday 12 October 2013, two female friends visiting Manchester for a night out met two men and spent the evening socialising with them around various Manchester bars and pubs.
The group then went back to the Portland Street hotel where the two women got into bed. One of the men then got into bed and raped the 18-year-old victim.
Police would like to speak to the man in this image recently released by police.
Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 1911 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Monday 5 May: Man killed in Prestwich tram collision
A 33-year-old man has died after being hit by a tram at Prestwich Metrolink station at around 1.30pm.
The man is thought to be a patient at a nearby psychiatric hospitals.
