Here at Confidential we get 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 people and that recent figures show crime has fallen dramatically across both region and country.
Friday 23 August: 99-year-old woman hit by reversing car in Chorlton
An elderly lady has suffered serious injuries following a collision with a car in Chorlton at around 10.10am on Thursday 22 August.
The 99-year-old woman was leaving the post office when a Ford Mondeo reversed into her on Egerton Road South. The driver went into the post office to request an ambulance and then drove off.
A 63-year-old man was later arrested on suspicion of failing to stop after a road traffic collision and has been bailed until 24 October 2013 pending further inquiries.
Officers are appealing for any witnesses to the collision to call 0161 856 4741.
Thursday 22 August: Mystery over Man Found in River Irwell
Police are currently trying to piece together the last movements of 55-year-old Patrick Martin of Silchester Way, Bolton, after his body was found in the River Irwell near Trinity Bridge at around 10.45pm on Wednesday 21 August.
While police are not treating the death as suspicious at this time, they are appealing for information to establish the circumstances leading to Patrick's death.
He is described as white, 5ft 4in tall, of heavy build with short grey hair, wearing a black jacket, white tshirt and black trousers.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 5355, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Trinity Bridge
Wednesday 21 August: Beaten Pensioner Dies after Robbery
UPDATE: Daniel Crompton (14/08/1989), of no fixed address has been charged with robbery in connection with this incident. He is next due to appear at Bolton Crown Court on Friday 23 August 2013.
An 87-year-old man has died after a robbery at his home on Longfield Road, Bolton, at around 00.40am on Saturday 3 August 2013.
The elderly man, a 2WW veteran and Sunday School teacher, was attacked in his home suffering a stroke and bleeding to the brain.
Senior Investigating Officer Andy Tattersall said: "Our investigation into this case is ongoing and we are appealing for anyone that may have seen a suspicious person or vehicle in the Longfield Road area of Bolton in the early hours of Saturday 3 August, to contact us."
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 2448 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Tuesday 20 August: NQ Naked Runner Found Dead in Lift Shaft
A naked man seen running through the streets of Northern Quarter at around 8.30pm on Friday night is believed to have been found dead at the bottom of a building site lift-shaft at the One Smithfield Square site on Goadsby Street.
Police have launched an investigation after the naked man’s body, believed to be in his 20s, was discovered by a construction worker at around 1pm on Monday 19 August.
Witnesses say the man looked very ‘confused’ and ‘lost’ as he ran around the streets, attempting to make his way into various NQ bars and restaurants including Solita restaurant and Bluu bar.
Detective Inspector Brian Morley, based at North Manchester INPT, said: “This is a tragic case where a man has lost his life after apparently falling into a lift shaft and our thoughts are with his family at this time.
“Our work now is concentrating on the minutes leading up to his death. We are now confident that the deceased is the same man who was running naked round the Northern Quarter on Friday night.
A man was seen running naked through NQ
“It was a normal busy Friday night and no doubt dozens of people must have seen this man. I have no doubt that if you saw him you would remember.
“We have spoken to a number of witnesses, both on the street and those who work in bars in the area, but I want to appeal to anyone who saw this man, and we have not yet spoken to you, to call us.
“We believe he may have got undressed near to the Adobe bar, and a bag containing a laptop, phone and a passport were found nearby.
“We are also investigating reports that he was seen at the Holiday Express and the Bluu bar before he climbed into the construction site.
“Our main message is simple – if you saw this man on Friday night then please call us. Your call could help us piece together exactly what happened.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 3221.
Tuesday 20 August: £2.5m of Drugs Found in Monsall Industrial Estate
Police have recovered a horde of drugs including cocaine, amphetamine and cannabis, worth around £2.5million at the Wilson Park Industrial Estate after finding amphetamine in a car near to the estate on Friday 16 August.
David Warrender, 29, and Blaine McKenna, 25, both of Middleton, have both been charged with conspiracy to supply drugs.
Four other men have been bailed pending further investigation.
The men are due at Manchester Crown Court on the 7 September.
Police found amphetamine in the car
Tuesday 20 August: Balaclava Thugs Rob Cash Van in Salford
At around 12.30pm on Saturday 17 August a cash-in-transit robbery took place in a busy Lidl car park on Fitzwarren Street, Salford.
Two offenders, wearing dark clothing and balaclavas, approached the security guard and attacked him with a blunt weapon; fortunately the guard’s helmet protected him from any injury.
The thieves tried to steal the cash box; however, the dye pack was activated and the offenders left the cash box and made off in a gold-coloured vehicle heading towards Liverpool Street.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Monday 19 August: Masked Men Storm Old Trafford House
Police are appealing for information after three armed men forced their way into an address on Seymour Grove at around 10.30pm on Sunday 18 August.
The three men, carrying a shovel, iron bar and gun, threatened a woman at the address before her son returned to the house and scared them off.
The men left through the back garden and escaped in a van that had been parked at the nearby Old Trafford Conservative Club.
Detective Constable Andrew Warren said: "At this stage it is unclear what the men wanted. It appears to be a completely unprovoked attack and was understandably very frightening for the people involved.
"If anyone saw three men in the area or leaving the house around this time please call police. Alternatively if anyone has any information about the incident and who these men are please get in touch and help us with our enquiries."
Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 7671 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Seymour Grove
Monday 19 August: Police Discover £250k Of Cannabis Plants In Wigan
Police have arrested two men at an address on Richmond Hill, Pemberton, in the early hours of Saturday 17 August after executing a drugs warrant.
The 31-year-old and 22-year-old were arrested when Police discovered a large scale cannabis farm containing over 300 cannabis plants. The plants have since been destroyed.
Both men have been bailed until 8 November 2013, pending further investigation.
Monday 19 August: 14-year-old boy falls from M62 bridge
Police were called to the M62 east bound near junction 20 at around 7.20am on Monday morning following reports that a boy had fallen from a bridge. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
It is understood that Ben Fitchett of Rochdale fell to his death while on his morning paper round. Police currently say there are no suspicious circumstances.
Sgt Danny Bryne say police are trying to establish the circumstances that lead to Ben's fall: “If you saw a young man on Broad Lane, the bridge across the M62 close to junction 20, around 7am on Monday morning we’d be interested to hear from you.”
If you have any information call the police on 101.
M62 Junction 20
Saturday 17 August: Man stabbed in city centre
Police are appealing for witnesses after police found a 26-year-old man collapsed on Aytoun Street at around 3.20am on Saturday.
The man had been stabbed in the stomach, however, his injuries aren’t believed to be life threatening.
Police are now trying to establish how the man suffered his injuries. Detective Sergeant Andy Buckthorpe said: “Clearly there has been some kind of altercation or attack but beyond that, we are unsure what has gone on. I would ask anyone who may have been walking along Aytoun Street prior to the man being found and believe they may have seen something suspicious to contact us.”
Anyone with information should phone police on 0161 856 3221 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Saturday 17 August: Man dragged out of bed and robbed at Portland Street hotel
Police have released two images of men wanted in connection with a robbery that occurred at a hotel on Portland Street back in the early hours of March 29.
At around 4.45am a 35-year-old man was asleep in his hotel bedroom when he was dragged out of bed and held to the floor while his hands were tied behind his back.
The two offenders then stole property from the victim and left the room.
Detective Constable Natalie McDonald said: “We have released images of two men we want to speak to in connection with the robbery which happened back in March.
“I would urge you to take a close look at the images and if you recognise the men or know anything about the robbery please contact me asap.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 3543 or anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Robbery suspects
