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.
Tuesday 10 September: Michael Le Vell found not guilty
Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell, 48, has been found not guilty of child sex charges. The actor denied 12 charges in total, including five of rape.
The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, claimed she was abused from the age of six until she was 14. Speaking outside court, Le Vell thanked his legal team, family and ITV for their support during a "traumatic time" and said he "might go and have a drink now, believe it or not".
See Le Vell leaving court in the video below.
Tuesday 10 September: CCTV image of sexual assault suspect
Police have issued CCTV of a suspect after a woman was sexually assaulted by a man on a bus.
The incident happened on Wednesday 26 June 2013, between 1.15pm and 1.45pm, when the 25-year-old female victim was sat on the number 250 bus travelling from Manchester City Centre to The Trafford Centre.
A man came upstairs and sat behind the woman and as the bus was travelling down Portland Street towards Princess Street, the man sexually assaulted her.
The woman moved seats to get away from him. He then got off the bus some time later at Stretford, across the road from Frescos Café.
Police Constable Nageen Mustafa said: “This woman was extremely shaken by what happened to her and reported the incident to police when she got off the bus.
“We have issued a still of the suspect from CCTV, which is of good quality, and we are hoping that members of the public will be able to assist us in identifying this man.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 3832, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Sexual Assault Suspect On Bus
Monday 9 September: Sneak thief steals from baby
POLICE are hunting a sneak thief who stole a tablet from beside the hospital bed of a sick 11-month-old child.
The baby girl has a genetic disorder from birth which means she frequently becomes unwell and cannot eat. As a result she has to go into hospital and fed via a glucose drip.
As she usually spends around two weeks at a time in hospital her mother bought her a Galaxy tablet to help keep her occupied. Her favourite game was to make music using a piano app.
On 19 August 2013, the baby and her mum were in ward 85 of Manchester Childrens Hospital when the thief struck. He swiped the tablet from her bedside cabinet some time between early evening and 2pm the following day.
PC Jennifer Torkington, based at Longsight, said: "This is a truly sickening theft in every sense of the word. This poor baby used the tablet to pass the long hours in hospital and had come to really rely on it for comfort.
"For someone to spot it and the pinch it from under the nose of a poorly baby, who was clearly hooked up to a drip at the time, is truly disgusting.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 3832, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Sunday 8 September: Robbers threaten to ‘chop up’ bet shop employee during raid
At about 6.40pm on Wednesday 4 September, two men, one armed with a metal bar, entered Coral on Mount Road.
The men made their way to a staff area and demanded cash from one employee, telling him they would “chop” him up if he did not comply.
The two robbers then stole some cash from a till as well as a telephone before leaving.
Both men had their faces covered and are described as white and in their late teens. One was about 6ft tall and of slim build while the other was about 5ft 6in tall and of stocky build.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 3832, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Saturday 7 September: Chorlton thieves chased off by white van men
At around 9.30pm on Friday 6 September two young Asian men approached a woman on Warwick Road near to the Keppel Road junction and tried to grab her bag.
Two men passing by in a white van stopped, got out the van and chased the would-be thieves off towards Albany Road.
Detective Sergeant Rick Thompson, from West Didsbury Police station, said: "I firmly believe these two men have prevented a young woman from being further attacked, possibly injured and having her property stolen.
“The actions of these men – who risked their own safety to help the victim - are to be commended and I would very much like to hear from them or anyone else who has information to help us solve this crime.
“If you are or know who these two Good Samaritans are, witnessed the incident or think you know who is responsible, please get in touch.”
Anyone with information is asked to call 0161 856 4973, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Warwick Road and Keppel Road junction
