A man has been arrested after a woman was seriously sexually assaulted in Sale. 

At about 3.45am on Saturday 1 February 2014, police were called to School Road in Sale following reports a 21-year-old woman had been attacked.

Officers attended and discovered the woman had been walking home from a night out when she asked a man for a cigarette.

He took her by the hand and led her to a nearby alleyway where he gave her a rolled-up cigarette.

The woman next recalls coming round and noticing that some of her clothing had been removed.

It is believed she was seriously sexually assaulted by the man.

A 44-year-old man was today, Friday 7 February 2014, arrested on suspicion of rape.

He remains in police custody for questioning.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police on 0161 856 6580, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. 

A former police officer from Greater Manchester has been jailed.

On Friday 7 February 2014, Robert Carroll (born 07/05/1973), of the Holmfirth area, was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court Crown Square to 14 months in prison.

He pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to two counts of theft (in relation to the theft of a police baton and CS Gas spray) and misconduct in public office.

Jermaine White (born 07/10/1988) of Gibson Street, Huddersfield pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply and being concerned in the supply of class A drugs. At an earlier hearing, he pleaded guilty to possession of a section 5 (1b) prohibited article (CS gas spray) and possession of a Class B controlled drug.

He will be sentenced at a later date.

On 3 May 2012, a drugs warrant was executed at Carroll’s home address by officers from GMP’s Counter Corruption Unit.

No drugs were found but his mobile telephone was seized.

Carroll returned to work on 16 July 2012, and was placed on restricted duties.

Examination of his mobile phone revealed evidence of his drug use and further examination of his billing showed a high amount of contact to an unregistered telephone number, later attributed to Jermaine White.

In what was a seemingly unconnected investigation at the time, West Yorkshire Police executed a warrant on 2 July 2012, at White’s home in Huddersfield. During the search 17 small cannabis plants were seized along with a CS canister and a police baton.

The CS canister which is a prohibited weapon had been issued to a GMP officer in 2002 and the police baton had been issued to Carroll by GMP in 2009.

On 28 July 2012, Carroll took a police car without consent and drove it to Huddersfield to meet up with White in an attempt to buy heroin. He had not sought authority to leave work or to use a police vehicle.

He returned to work and a short time later he left again this time driving his own car and drove again to Huddersfield to meet up with White.

On 30 August 2012, further drugs warrants were executed by the Counter Corruption Unit at both White and Carroll’s addresses.

Carroll was arrested and subsequently placed police bail and suspended from duty.

19 packages of crack cocaine and five paper packages containing heroin were seized at White’s house along with over £500 in cash.

He was not present but handed himself in a few days later.

Assistant Chief Constable Dawn Copley said: “Whatever personal mitigation Carroll may have, it is not an excuse for such a wanton abuse of his position as a police officer.

“When someone becomes a police officer, they take an oath to protect the public and quite clearly, Carroll failed in that public duty.

“Carroll’s drug addiction significantly clouded his judgement, so much so that he passed a prohibited weapon to a drug dealer in exchange for drugs.

“He also seriously neglected his duties as a police officer leaving the station while on duty and the force area so he could attempt to buy drugs from Jermaine White.

“That is not the sort of behaviour the public, or Greater Manchester Police, expects from a serving officer and as a result, not only has he now been convicted of a number of serious offences, but he has lost his reputation and the respect of his colleagues.

“Greater Manchester Police’s Professional Standards Branch is here to protect the public. The branch has a crucial role to play in ensuring that officers and staff uphold the very highest standards of behaviour and when there is evidence of criminality or misconduct, we will take action.

“We must always remember that we police with the consent of the public, so I want to both warn officers and staff, and reassure our communities, that if we uncover any evidence of any GMP employees engaging in criminal activities or committing misconduct, that we will carry out a thorough investigation and regardless of rank or position, we will pursue these matters through the courts.”

A man was assaulted in his own home in Crumpsall by robbers armed with a gun.

The attack happened at around 10.30pm on Tuesday 28 January 2014 at an address on Enver Road.

The 52-year-old man was upstairs in his home when he heard the front door being forced open. Two men then ran in shouting “police”.

The man opened his bedroom door and was confronted by the two men, one of whom was armed with a gun and the other a hammer.

The offender holding the pistol punched the man in the face with it and demanded he give him money and jewellery.

When the man replied to say he did not have any, he was punched again in the face with the gun and then by the offender himself.

The man’s wife and another family member came out of their rooms and were threatened by the man with the hammer, who ordered the pair to stay back.

The pair then fled the house empty handed.

The first man is described as Asian and was wearing a black tracksuit and carrying a small black pistol.

The second man is described as Asian and was wearing a grey tracksuit and carrying a silver hammer.

Detective Constable Matt Fryer from North Manchester CID said: “This family was subjected to an absolutely terrifying ordeal at the hands of these two men in the sanctity of their own home, a place where they should be able to feel safe.

“The two offenders were not afraid to use excessive levels of violence when threatening the man and we are making numerous enquiries to identify these dangerous individuals and take them off our streets.

“We are appealing to the public for their help to find out who was responsible for this cowardly attack and are asking for anyone with information to call us and tell us what you know.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the CID at Central Park police station on 0161 856 8327 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police in West Cumbria are appealing for any information regarding the whereabouts of a woman who has gone missing from Cockermouth.

Margaret Huddart, who is better known as Peggy Huddart, aged 80, was last seen at around 11.45am on Wednesday 5^th February in the Wordsworth Court area.

Police are deeply concerned for her welfare as are her family and friends.

Police are asking residents to check gardens and alleyways for Mrs Huddart.

She is white, of thin build with straight white hair, hunched shoulders and she is 5ft 2inches tall.

Anyone who has seen Mrs Huddart or has any information is asked to contact Cumbria Police on 101.

Police are investigating the disappearance of an elderly 81 year old male that suffers from dementia and has been missing from his home address in Carlisle since 11am on Saturday 8th February 2014, when he walked out of his home. This male is a Ronald David Danzey born 22/08/1932

The male is vulnerable and his health and welfare are of concern.

The male in looks does not appear as old as his age and can be described as approximately five foot six inches tall, stocky build with a large tummy. He has brown hair that is only greying on the sides. Misper is wearing a dark blue and grey anorak jacket with no hood but has lighter blue pockets. He is not wearing any gloves of head wear and only wears glassed for reading. He is wearing grey velcro fastening training type shoes and has a black and grey back pack. He has not shaven today and has been described as having large moles that protrude from his face. He has a heavy flat linked gold chain around his neck and a gold wrist watch with leather strap.

Police are requesting any sightings to be reported to Cumbria Police or any local police force as soon as possible.

Cumbria Police incident number is CP-20140208-0216 and can be contacted on 101 and ask for the duty Sgt at Carlisle or PC 1674 Fox, Carlisle City West NPT.

Detectives investigating the murder of Babafemi Junaid in Stockwell on Friday, 7 February are continuing to appeal for witnesses and information.

A post-mortem examination held at Greenwich Mortuary on Sunday, 9 February gave the cause of death as a single stab wound to the heart.

Police were called at around 17:40hrs on Friday, 7 February, to a car in collision with a bus in Clapham Road, near to Stockwell underground station.

Babafemi (known as Femi), 22 (22.8.91) of Peckham who was driving the car was taken by ambulance to hospital. He died later that evening.

Next of kin have been informed.

Detectives believe Femi was stabbed in Clapham Road, some 50 yards from the scene of the collision, before getting into his car and colliding with the bus. We are not aware of any other people injured and we do not believe anyone else was in the car with Femi at the time of the collision.

Detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command are investigating and an incident room has opened under Acting Detective Chief Inspector Dave Reid.

Acting Detective Chief Inspector Dave Reid said: “At this early stage it appears that the stabbing may be linked to an earlier report of disorder on a 155 bus nearby and enquiries continue to establish the full circumstances.

“I am appealing for anyone who witnessed the stabbing to please come forward and assist us with our investigation.

“In particular, I would like to hear from anyone who was on the bus; if so please call the incident line or call Crimestoppers anonymously.”

There have been no arrests.

Anyone with information about this incident should call the Incident Room on 0208 721 4054 or, to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A 28 year old man from Workington was sentenced on Friday (7^th February) to three years and eight months for robbery.

Nathan Hanlon from Fisher Street, Workington, pleaded guilty and was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court.

On Sunday 12^th January 2014, at around 8:50pm, Hanlon entered The Corner Shop on Fisher Street. He was wearing a mask and was carrying a knife, which he brandished to intimidate the staff and to hack at the till. No money was taken, but he stole a large amount of confectionary from the display. He left the shop, but returned shortly after (without the mask), asked if the cashier was ok and left again. He later claimed to have chased the offender from the shop.

DC Jonathan Lowden said:

“We take any reports of weapons being used to threaten or intimidate very seriously. Although no one was thankfully hurt through Hanlon’s actions, the cashier was left understandably shaken and distressed.

“There is no excuse for Hanlon’s actions, and I am pleased that justice has now been served. I hope Friday’s sentencing highlights to other would-be criminals how seriously we take crimes such as this. Cumbria is one of the safest places to live and work, and we are committed to keeping it that way.”

If anyone has any concerns around weapons or thefts please contact Cumbria Police on 101, or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. In an emergency always call 999.

A wanted man has been arrested in Bolton.

At about 6.15pm on Monday 10 February 2014, officers from GMP’s intercept team, who were driving an unmarked BMW, identified a Vauxhall Astra van, similar to one used by a wanted man.

The van was followed through the Over Hulton, Bromley Cross and Bradshaw areas of Bolton by the officers with support from the National Police Air Service.

Following a short pursuit, in which the driver attempted to ram two police cars, the van was stopped on Folds Road.

Following a short chase on foot a 36-year-old Salford man, who is wanted for offences outside of Greater Manchester, was arrested.

He remains in police custody for questioning.

Chief Inspector Mark Dexter, said: “This was an excellent arrest of a man who has been wanted for some time by police in connection a number of offences.

“He has used his vehicle to ram police cars in an attempt to escape before trying to flee on foot, proving he is a clear threat to the police service and wider public.

“Thankfully, due to the excellent work of officers from the intercept team on the ground – supported by NPAS – the man was arrested without major incident or serious harm to anyone.”

Police are investigating after a man died from a suspected drugs overdose.

Police were called to the Manchester Royal Infirmary shortly before 4.30am on Sunday 9 February 2014

Officers attended and discovered a man, aged 30, had been admitted after becoming ill whilst at The Academy venue.

The man sadly died on Monday 10 February 2014 and an investigation has been launched in relation to the moments leading up to him becoming ill and the origins of the drugs.

A post mortem examination into the cause of death was inconclusive and further tests will be carried out.

Detective Inspector Ian Cottrell, said: “Sadly this man has died after becoming unwell during a night out at The Academy and I want to reassure his friends and family as well as the wider community that we have launched an investigation to establish exactly what happened.

“While we are keeping an open mind we suspect that drugs are a factor in this man’s death.

“Were you in the venue on Saturday night and did you see anything untoward or suspicious? Did you see anyone selling drugs inside the venue or someone collapse inside?

“If so, please call us.

“I would also like to take the opportunity to remind people of the potential consequences of taking illicit drugs. You can never know exactly what you are taking or what reaction you will have and as this incident so tragically highlights, the consequences can be dire, not only for the person taking them but also for their family and friends.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 4223.

A convicted drug dealer is today spending the first day of five years behind bars.

At an earlier hearing David Lawrence, born 13/05/67, of Thatcher Street, Oldham, pleaded guilty at Minshull Street Crown Court to two offences of possession of heroin with intent to supply, two counts of possessing crack cocaine with intent to supply and possession of ammunition.

He was yesterday, Monday 10 February 2014, sentenced to five years imprisonment.

On 21 October 2013 officers from Oldham Organised Crime Unit executed a drugs warrant at Lawrence’s house on Thatcher Street.

Officers discovered heroin and crack cocaine with a street value of £800 along with prohibited ammunition. He was arrested, charged and bailed in connection with this find, but on 6 January 2014 officers recovered more drugs, worth around £100, after executing another drugs warrant.

The arrest was part of Operation Caminada ⿿ Oldham⿿s multi-agency approach to tackling organised crime.

Chief Superintendent Catherine Hankinson, said: ⿿While around £900 worth of class A drugs might seem relatively insignificant, its seizure reflects the ever-decreasing profits drug dealers are making since Operation Caminada was launched.

“The fact Lawrence once again turned to dealing drugs while on bail shows the desperate measures some will go to eek out a tiny living from this filthy trade.

⿿This case is yet another warning to others about the consequences and potential repercussions you could face if you are caught dealing drugs on the streets of Oldham or elsewhere across Greater Manchester.⿝

Staff at a convenience store in Bury were held up – first at knifepoint and then gunpoint – during two robberies in the space of just a week. 
 
Police are investigating whether the same man was responsible for two robberies at the Mace Convenience Store on Brandlesholme Road in Bury. 
 
The first took place at about 9.40pm on 4 February 2014 when a masked man carrying a knife demanded cash from the terrified shopworker before stealing money from the till. 
 
He is described as wearing a black and green camouflage tracksuit, black balaclava and black gloves. 
 
Just a week later, on 11 February 2014 and again at about 9.40pm, the shop was hit again. This time, the thief lay in wait as the shopkeeper was closing up. As the last customer left, he ran to the front door and snapped the handle out of shopkeeper’s hand. 
 
The thief then produced the gun and wrestled the shopkeeper to the floor outside the shop. The offender then went inside and stole cash from the till before fleeing. 
 
He was described as being white, of a muscular build, about 6ft tall and wearing a grey hooded top with a distinctive pattern on both elbows and across the chest. He was also wearing blue tracksuit bottoms with three stripes down the side, black trainers and a black balaclava. 
 
Police have now released a CCTV stills of the offender from both robberies and are appealing to anyone who recognises him, or has information about either robbery, to come forward. 
 
Detective Sergeant Ian Partington said: “Both of these robberies were audacious acts committed by criminals intent on causing as much fear and intimidation as humanly possible. The second robbery was particularly nasty as the shopkeeper was physically assaulted and dragged to the floor whilst having a firearm pointed at him. 
 
“If you put yourselves in the shoes of the staff at this store for one moment, you can only imagine how traumatic it must have been to be confronted by men brandishing dangerous weapons. For it to have happened twice in seven days only compounds how frightened the staff must have been. 
 
“Clearly we are investigating whether one offender is responsible for both robberies and at this stage we cannot rule out anything ⿿ it could be the work of one desperate man or a copycat. 
 
“What we can be certain of is that Greater Manchester Police, and indeed the community as a whole, must protect people who work in our local shops who should not have to suffer such violence in the workplace. 
 
“I want to reassure people living and working here that crime figures show the number of robberies in Bury has fallen by more than 25 percent in the last year. We are intent on keeping up that good work so we can deliver more and more reductions and keep our business community safe. But we know that a fall a crime is of little comfort to the staff at the Mace Convenience Store and that is why we do pursue every line of inquiry to find the culprits. 
 
“I would urge anyone with information about either robbery to come forward. I cannot overestimate how important it is you call police if you know something. Don’t dismiss it as trivial as could be crucial to us. With your help, we can ensure criminals like these are not given free reign but brought to justice and shopkeepers working in this area can feel safe in their place of business.” 
 
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. 

A man was assaulted in his own home in Crumpsall by robbers armed with a gun.

The attack happened at around 10.30pm on Tuesday 28 January 2014 at an address on Enver Road.

The 52-year-old man was upstairs in his home when he heard the front door being forced open. Two men then ran in shouting “police”.

The man opened his bedroom door and was confronted by the two men, one of whom was armed with a gun and the other a hammer.

The offender holding the pistol punched the man in the face with it and demanded he give him money and jewellery.

When the man replied to say he did not have any, he was punched again in the face with the gun and then by the offender himself.

The man’s wife and another family member came out of their rooms and were threatened by the man with the hammer, who ordered the pair to stay back.

The pair then fled the house empty handed.

The first man is described as Asian and was wearing a black tracksuit and carrying a small black pistol.

The second man is described as Asian and was wearing a grey tracksuit and carrying a silver hammer.

Detective Constable Matt Fryer from North Manchester CID said: “This family was subjected to an absolutely terrifying ordeal at the hands of these two men in the sanctity of their own home, a place where they should be able to feel safe.

“The two offenders were not afraid to use excessive levels of violence when threatening the man and we are making numerous enquiries to identify these dangerous individuals and take them off our streets.

“We are appealing to the public for their help to find out who was responsible for this cowardly attack and are asking for anyone with information to call us and tell us what you know.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the CID at Central Park police station on 0161 856 8327 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Greater Manchester Police is commending the actions of university security guards who detained a gunman following an attempted robbery in Manchester.

At about 4am on 29 November 2013, Jason Dunne (30/04/1971), of Tommy Johnson Walk, Moss Side, was seen riding near to Manchester University on Oxford Road.

His actions raised suspicions of security staff that monitored his movements on CCTV.

He was seen to get off his bike, cross Oxford Road and approach an 18-year-old student.

He approached the victim and was seen to withdraw a handgun.

As security guards called police and scrambled to the location, he demanded the victim hand over his mobile phone and even said to him: “Do you want to be shot?”

The victim fought back and following a struggle Dunne ran off empty handed.

He was detained by security guards a short time later and subsequently arrested by police. The gun was found to be an imitation firearm.

At Manchester Crown Court on 6 February 2014, Dunne was jailed for five years after admitting attempted robbery and having an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence.

Detective Chief Inspector Colin Larkin, said: “Dunne is a prolific and persistent offender who was in an area heavily populated with students in the early hours of the morning with the sole intention of committing a robbery.

“As the CCTV explicitly shows he was armed with a gun, a terrifying weapon that he used to threaten his victim.

“Security staff at the university saw events unfolding and saw that he was armed with a gun. Despite this they have bravely and without consideration for their own safety set out to detain this man, which they did successfully.

“They could have had no idea that the gun was in fact an imitation and this makes their actions all the more impressive and worthy of recognition.

“I must also credit responding officers who were in the area within minutes and the investigation team who, working with the CPS, have ensured a dangerous criminal is off our streets.”

A man was stabbed in the hand during a robbery in Levenshulme.

The 20-year-old man was on his way to deposit weekly takings at the Natwest bank on Cromwell Grove, just after midday on Monday 3 February 2014.

As he approached the junction of Stockport Road and Cromwell Grove, he was approached by two men from behind.

One of them grabbed him while the other held a knife to his neck and demanded he handed over a bag that contained money.

The victim was dragged into a small car park and into an alleyway of Cromwell Grove where he was threatened again and then stabbed in the hand.

The bag was picked up and both men ran off.

Detective Constable Danny Wilkinson said: “We believe that the offenders have purposefully followed the man and then struck when they felt no one would see them.

“They have shown extreme aggression which resulted in the victim getting stabbed in his hand.  Thankfully, he is recovering from his injury.

“Unfortunately we have no description of the offenders as the robbery happened in broad daylight, we are asking for anyone who may have seen a struggle between three men near to Cromwell Grove, to phone us as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information should phone police on 0161 856 1902 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Four men embroiled in a plot to blackmail a businessman, which culminated in the man’s car being torched, have been sentenced. 
 
The gang were involved in a two-month conspiracy to blackmail the victim over a debt his business partner owed to Tommy Roye (born 18/10/74), of Flixton Road, Urmston. 
 
Following a trial, Roye was convicted of blackmail, conspiracy to commit arson and threatening to destroy property. 
 
Ashley Guishard (born 31/10/1974), of Totnes Road, Ashton-on-Mersey, was convicted of blackmail following a trial. 
 
Marcel Lauder (born 16/9/69), of Morningside Close, Derby and Jamie Keegan (born 28/10/82), of Epsom Avenue, Sale, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit arson and blackmail at an earlier hearing. 
 
Today, 13 February 2014, Roye was sentenced to six years, Guishard to three years and a further four years for an unrelated possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply charge, making seven in total, Lauder to 28 months (which includes four months for production of Class B drugs) and Keegan to 24 months at Manchester Crown Court, Crown Square. 
 
The victim was involved in the running of a Cheshire nightclub with his business partner, who owed up to £30,000 to various people, one of whom was Roye. These two men had a tense altercation in a Stretford pub on 13 August 2012, which resulted in the man in debt calling the victim and asking for help. 
 
Concerned, the victim drove to the pub and spoke to his partner, who said he feared for his life. In desperation, the victim told Roye he would pay £5,000 towards settling the debt in order to buy his business partner time to raise the money himself. The victim was assured by his partner that he himself would not need to pay Roye any money. 
 
However, just before 11pm on 1 October 2012, as the victim and a friend left the Lord Nelson pub in Urmston, they were ambushed on a quiet residential street by Roye and Guishard. Roye demanded to know where his money was and made threats saying: “You know who we are; you know what we can do. I’ll put you in that skip over there.” Fearing for his life, he gave Roye the keys to his Audi in the hope it would placate him. Roye told the victim that if he went to the police his car would be torched. 
 
The following morning, the victim sent a text message to Roye asking for his car back and promising to pay the £5,000 by the 11 October, to which Roye agreed. The car was eventually returned and the victim’s business partner gave further assurances that he would pay the debt.
 
Despite this, on the 10 October, Roye again bombarded the victim with texts demanding payment. Roye sent the victim a threatening text which revealed he knew the man’s home address. When the victim replied saying that he had no option but to contact the police, Roye’s menacing response was: “POLICE, CALL THE FIRE SERVICE ASWEL (sic)”, a clear and direct threat to damage the victim’s property in an arson attack.
 
Roye recruited Keegan and Lauder to help him in his plan. It was Lauder and Keegan who went to the victim’s home at about 8pm on 12 October 2012 and torched the victim’s people carrier while it was parked on his driveway. 
 
Roye and Guishard were arrested the next day, and during a search of Roye’s home, officers seized two ornamental Samurai swords and a machete.
 
Detective Sergeant Patrick Goodrich said: “This case involved a totally innocent and legitimate businessman who unwittingly became embroiled in a blackmail plot driven by a gang of violent criminals. 
 
“All he wanted to do was help out a colleague who had got himself into debt, and for his troubles endured two months of hell at the hands of an extremely intimidating and aggressive band of criminals. 
 
“That they went so far as to torch this man’s car as it was parked on his driveway, bearing in mind this man has a wife and daughter, shows how dangerous these men were and you can only imagine the anguish this man suffered for those two months, being bombarded with violent threats simply for trying to help a colleague.
 
“I have no doubt whatsoever that the streets are a lot safer now that these four men are behind bars. I would also like to praise the tenacity of the victim himself who hung in there despite the hell he was subjected to and helped us to convict these men. 
 
“Organised crime groups like these cause real misery and hardship for law-abiding and innocent members of our communities. However, in Trafford we have been targeting organised crime groups at all levels for the last two years and have achieved some fantastic results by working in collaboration with a host of partner agencies. 
 
“We are tackling these groups with every tactic open to us, taking away their liberty, their homes, their cars and their cash. We will continue to target these organised crime groups and people in Trafford can help us by reporting any criminal activity they see in their neighbourhood.”
 
Anyone who has been a victim of crime can contact police on 0161 856 7655 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
 

Officers investigating a reported death of a British citizen in Syria are today, Thursday 13 February, 2014, carrying out a search of a house in Manchester.

Detective Chief Inspector Will Chatterton, of the North West Counter-Terrorism Unit, said: “As part of this inquiry, officers are also providing support to the family and are speaking to them to understand how a man from the North West came to be reportedly killed in Syria.

“As part of the National Prevent Strategy officers are working to assess how people are drawn into travelling to Syria to become involved in conflict and how to prevent others doing the same.

“Residents will naturally be concerned about today’s activity but I can reassure them that there is no threat to the wider community.

“There is widespread concern about the situation in Syria and other conflict zones and the way that some will be driven to travel there to engage in humanitarian work or to take part in the fighting. We know that some have already lost their lives or been detained by the regime and badly treated. It is vital that anyone who has concerns that someone may be considering such travel informs the authorities.

“The best way for people to help is to donate to registered charities with ongoing humanitarian operations in Syria and the region. The Prevent Programme does work to ensure charities which claim to raise funds for those suffering in conflict zones are genuine. We need the help of the Muslim community and specialist press to ensure that the understandable desire to help is not exploited to actually exacerbate the conflict.”

Police investigating the rape of a teenage girl in south Manchester have issued an image of a suspect. 

In September 2013, police received a report that a 14-year-old girl had been raped at an address in the south Manchester area a few weeks earlier, believed to be sometime in July. 

A police investigation was immediately launched and since that date, the young girl has been receiving specialist support from police and other agencies. 

Police are now issuing an image of a man they wish to speak to, who is possibly known as either Rohel or Ruhel Miah. He is Asian and described as medium build, slightly muscly, with dark short hair. He is believed to be in his 30s. 

Detective Inspector Ian Cottrell, based at Longsight police station said: “We have been carrying out a significant number of enquiries since September to try and locate the man in this image, but so far our efforts have been unsuccessful and so we are now asking the public for their assistance and for them to call us if they have seen this man or know where he is. 

“Clearly, news that a young teenage girl was raped back in July may come as a shock to people in the south Manchester area, but I would like to try and reassure them if I can that this was an isolated incident and there was no threat to the wider community. 

“We will continue to offer this young girl all the support she needs as we continue with our investigation and appeal again to the public to contact us if they have any information at all that could assist our enquiries.” 

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting number 729 of 12/02/2014. Alternatively, if people wish to pass details anonymously to police, they can do so by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.