A  Merseyside man has today been jailed for  total of  5 years in prison for a string of betting shop robberies.

Adam Russell of Lawton Road, Waterloo pleaded guilty to 3 counts of  robbery of William Hill and Ladbrooks betting shops

Detective Constable Neil Jones from Sefton CID, said: “We are pleased that someone who has targeted local businesses and threatened staff members is now behind bars.
”Russell carried out three armed robberies in quick succession in Formby and Waterloo in early November last year.

”In each incident he threatened staff with either a knife or machete and demanded money. Although the members of staff were not hurt they were all left very distressed following their ordeals.

”Officers acted on information provided by both witnesses and people from the local community and quickly arrested Russell for the robberies.

”Information from the local community is vital in our fight against crime in Merseyside and I would encourage anyone with information about any crime to contact police.

“I hope the prison sentence acts as a warning to other people who would carry out such offences.

“Merseyside Police is committed to tackling robberies and we will act on all information reported to us through Crimestoppers. Anyone with information can contact us on 0151 777 8567 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Police have now released CCTV footage of a man who tried to rob a bank using a note.

At 2.50pm on Friday 21 March 2014, the man entered Lloyds on Halliwell Road in Bolton, approached a cashier and held up a note that read: “Do not raise alarm I have gun and hammer in bag put £3000 in envelope no dye pack.”

The man then left empty handed.

Detective Sergeant Scott Brady, said: “This was an audacious attempt to rob a bank and not knowing how genuine the threat was the cashier has obviously been left shaken.

“We will be pursuing various lines of enquiry to identify this person and it is in his best interests if he comes and speaks to us sooner rather than later.

“If anyone recognises the man in the CCTV or witnessed what occurred please call us.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 5795, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Nigel Williams of Bradshaw Street, Orrell has been charged with 18 sexual offences against children.

The boys were aged between nine and thirteen at the time of the offences.

He is due to appear at Wigan Magistrates Court on Tuesday 8th April.

In November 2013 Greater Manchester Police were contacted by a man, who reported that he had suffered sexual abuse while a pupil at Pemberton Primary School between 2001 and 2004.

As a result of police enquiries two further men reported being sexually assaulted while at Wigan swimming baths during the same period. Pemberton Primary School was demolished during 2006.

Detective Constable Suzanne Rigby, from Greater Manchester Police (INPT), said: “I want to reassure local residents, and more importantly parents of children formerly of Pemberton Primary School.

“While we do not believe there is any reason for pupils or their families to be unduly concerned, this is extremely serious and upsetting for the victims in this case, who we are continuing to provide specialist support to.

“The allegations are very serious and we are conducting a full and thorough investigation and I would urge anyone who may have any information about incidents at the school or elsewhere to come forward and speak to us.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 7124 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Greater Manchester is nationally recognised as a model of good practice in terms of support services available to victims.

- If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, we encourage you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police or a support agency so you can get the help and support available.

- You can call Greater Manchester Police on 101, or alternatively people can refer themselves to St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre on 0161 276 6515.

- St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Manchester provides a comprehensive and coordinated forensic, counselling and medical aftercare service to anyone in Greater Manchester who has experienced rape or sexual assault. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and people can access them either as a self-referral or via Greater Manchester Police.

- Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential support service run by women for women and girls who have been raped or sexually abused. Confidential helpline: 0161 273 4500. Black and Minority Ethnic helpline: 0161 273 4514.

- Survivors Manchester offers support and counselling for adult male survivors of sexual abuse and rape, regardless of when the event happened. Contact 07919246267.

A man has been arrested in connection with the investigation into the deliberate contamination of products and tampering of medical records at Stepping Hill Hospital.

Today, Friday 28 March 2014, a 48-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of three counts of murder, 18 counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and offences of poisoning under Section 24 of the Offences Against the Person Act.

A distressed couple whose baby’s ashes were stolen in a house burglary back in February are appealing for their return.

The small white casket containing the ashes of 36-year-old Amanda Ryan and her partner Daniel McElligott’s son (who was stillborn) was taken along with items of jewellery, laptops and mobile phones after a burglary at the family home they share with their 12-year-old daughter in Stoneleigh Terrace, N19 on Thursday 6 February.

The small white box was clearly marked with the baby boy’s name, Oliver Ryan McElligott and the date of his death, 19th July 2011. It is thought that the burglar may have mistaken it for a jewellery box.

Investigating officer DC Ursula Surgenor of Camden CID said: “The victims have been left devastated by the loss of their baby’s ashes and we are appealing for any information or assistance from members of the public to bring about its return and to catch those responsible.

“The burglary took place between 1500 hrs and 1700 hrs on Thursday 6 February and we would like to hear from anyone who may have noticed anything or seen anyone acting suspiciously during this time, at this location. We would also like to hear from anyone who may have come across or seen a box matching the description to contact us.”
Anyone with information please call 101, alternatively to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police are appealing for information after a shoplifting incident in Millom.

Police are keen to speak to the man in the photograph in connection with the shoplifting, which was from the Co-Op on Lapstone Road, Millom, on 14^th March at around 5pm, when various meat items were stolen.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Cumbria Police on 101 and ask for PC Dan Hindle, or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Shortly after 5pm on Thursday 27 March police were called to a track off Bellemonte Road in Frodsham.

A 17-year-old male was riding a mountain bike in company with a friend, when he lost control of his bike and fell down a steep embankment.

There was a protracted and careful rescue operation involving Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and the North West Ambulance Service.

The teenager sustained head injuries and was taken by ambulance to Aintree Hospital where he remains in a serious but stable condition.

Sergeant Rachel Gallagher praised the efforts of the local community following the incident.

She said: “We would like to thank local people for their assistance following the incident. Many came to help at the scene and stayed with the casualty and we are so grateful to them for all the support they provided.”

Police are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident, which occurred on a muddy track, or has any information, which could assist with enquiries, to call Cheshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 670 of 27 March.

Information can also be left anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was shot in New Moston.

At around 11.45am on Friday 28 March 2014 police were called to Borland Avenue, following reports of a shooting.

A 27-year-old man is currently in hospital receiving treatment to a gunshot wound to his leg. He is described as being in a stable condition.

Superintendent Marcus Noden said: “We are at the early stages of our investigation, which aims to establish the full facts behind what has happened.

“I understand that local residents will be concerned about this incident but we would like to reassure the public that there will be a visible police presence in the area over the weekend and into next week and that specially trained officers are at the scene currently, trying to piece together the full facts.

“Patrols in the area are being stepped up and we will be speaking to local residents in order to offer reassurance and to appeal for witnesses.

“I would appeal to anyone that may have seen what happened today, to call us as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 3037 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Organisations across Greater Manchester have joined forces in the continued crackdown on organised crime.

Over the past five days, Greater Manchester Police has worked in partnership with Home Office Immigration Enforcement, the National Crime Agency, Europol and other local and national partner agencies to undertake a series of raids, visits and safeguarding checks as part of ‘Challenger’ – the region’s biggest ever approach to tackling organised crime.

Over the past five days, more than 40 warrants have been carried out to disrupt and dismantle organised crime groups involved in illegal immigration, illegal marriages, drugs and the exploitation of some of the most vulnerable in society.

The week of action not only utilised close collaboration between partner agencies to identify and detain known criminals but to visit high risk areas and work with potential victims of exploitation to offer protection and prevention advice.

The week was also an effective tool in gathering further evidence and intelligence in the continuing attack on the criminal networks operating in Greater Manchester.

Since Monday 24 March there have been 78 arrests – 45 immigration-related and 33 for other organised crimes. Drugs with a street value of more than £285,000 and more than £70,000 of cash has also been seized. Further disruption to organised crime groups has been delivered in the form of £100,000 in fines served to businesses in the region. Further arrests and seizures are likely to be declared in coming days.

Chief Superintendent Rebekah Sutcliffe, who heads Challenger for Greater Manchester Police said:

“This has been another hugely successful week for Challenger and we would like to thank Immigration Enforcement, Europol, all other agencies and the local communities for their support.

“Organised crime groups do not assume a certain appearance or status; they take many different forms and often masquerade behind what appears to be a legitimate business, where they launder their ill-gotten gains.

“They do not specialise in a particular type of crime either and will pursue anything that offers the least risk and highest reward, from selling counterfeit goods and loan sharking to human trafficking and drug dealing.

“Those orchestrating illegal immigration will be involved in other criminality – there is often an overlap so this is why our multi-agency partnership and our close collaboration with Immigration Enforcement was integral to a quick and effective week of action.

“These criminals operate by preying on the most vulnerable in society – and this is why activity such as this is really important to us.”

The partnership approach to this week of action has been prevalent throughout,  its effectiveness has been particularly highlighted by the success around visits to car washes across Greater Manchester, where the link between illegal immigration and other forms of organised crime has been most clearly illustrated.

Car washes in Salford, Wigan and Oldham were visited during the week, where a number of illegal workers were discovered. With the quick response and assistance of partner agencies, offences including drugs, benefit fraud and a potential sham marriage have also been uncovered through those visits – an effective and successful example of Challenger in action.

In addition to arrests and raids, Challenger’s delivery of effective prevention and enforcement activity has been most prominently reflected this week via operations in a number of local areas.

In Wigan, whilst conducting Harm Reduction visits, the GMP Child Sexual Exploitation Unit arrested one man for both CSE and drugs offences, and another man was arrested for grooming offences.

Tuesday saw a flurry of activity in Bolton, where six arrests were made for offences including human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Throughout the week, Europol – the European Law Enforcement Agency – was present with two officers based with GMP to carry out cross checks of the data and provide forensic support, which vastly increased the speed that analysis was performed, greatly enhancing the investigation process.

Dave Magrath, Head of the Home Office North West Criminal Investigations team, said: “This week we have made more than 20 arrests in the North West in connection with various investigations into suspected immigration crime.

“These arrests, and the Challenger operations, demonstrate the effectiveness of working alongside partner agencies such as Great Manchester Police. This work will continue to make life as tough as possible for those who seek to abuse our immigration laws.”

Chief Superintendent Sutcliffe added:

“Challenger is crucial in giving communities the confidence to speak out and report this destructive and intimidating behaviour that threatens our neighbourhoods.

“By working in partnership with so many agencies we have attacked these gangs from every angle, exposing them whilst at the same time protecting those that they exploit for their own gain.

“But the job isn’t over yet. With the public’s help, we’ll continue to work hard to uncover the criminal activity and bring these individuals to justice.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A 24 year old man from Millom was sentenced today (28th March 2014) for killing his mother and sister, and the family dog.

He received a life sentence with a minimum tariff to serve 12 years, and a hospital order.

John Jenkin, of Newton Street, Millom, pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility at Preston Crown Court on Tuesday (4th March).

The court heard that on the morning of Saturday 8th June 2013, John Jenkin killed his mother Alice McMeekin, aged 58, from Millom, and his sister Katie Jenkin, aged 20, from Aberdare, with an axe. Following this he went outside and killed the family dog. All were sadly found dead on the scene by police officers.

 A large scale police investigation was launched immediately and John Jenkin was arrested nearby having left the scene before police arrived.

Speaking following the sentencing today, Detective Chief Inspector Paul Duhig, senior investigating officer in the case, said:

 “This was a particularly tragic case, and the friends and family of Alice and Katie have been left devastated. Our thoughts continue to be with them. This case will have lasting effects on everyone involved.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the public who called the police when they spotted Jenkin acting suspiciously, which led to his quick arrest. This is typical of our local communities, who work closely with us to keep Cumbria one of the safest places to live in the country.

“Murders are exceptionally rare in Cumbria, however on the rare occasions when such a serious crime takes place we have a proven track record of bringing the culprit to justice and protecting the public.”

The family of Alice and Katie released this statement:

“The words don’t exist to describe our feelings of loss following the events which occurred in June last year. It has been a family tragedy on so many levels.

“Alice and Katie will always be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew them.

“We are grateful for all the help and support we have received, particularly from family, friends, and specially trained officers from Cumbria Police. Life for us will never be as it was and we would now ask to be left to come to terms with our loss.”

Greater Manchester Police has today, Friday 28 March 2014, charged a man with the murder of three people after they and 18 others were poisoned with deliberately contaminated products at Stepping Hill Hospital.

Victorino Chua , of Churchill Street, Heaton Norris, has been charged with:

- The murder of Alfred Derek Weaver, known to his family as Derek Weaver
- The murder of Arnold Lancaster
- The murder of Tracey Arden
- One count of causing grievous bodily harm with intent
- 22 counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent
- Eight offences under Section 24 of The Offences Against the Person Act, namely unlawfully administering or causing to be taken by another person any poison or destructive  or noxious thing with intent to injure, aggrieve or annoy, or attempting to do so.

He has been remanded in custody to appear at Manchester City Magistrates’ Court on Saturday 29 March 2014.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Heywood said: “Our thoughts continue to be with those people who were deliberately poisoned and their families.

“From day one we made a commitment to those people, as well as the wider community, to thoroughly and robustly investigate what occurred.

“In close to three years we have conducted many painstaking enquiries and engaged with numerous medical experts.

“We are now at a point where we have charged Victorino Chua with a number of very serious offences.

“It is absolutely vital that he is afforded the right to have a fair trial as outlined in Article 6 of the Human Rights Act.

“I would therefore like to remind the media and the public not to speculate or pass comment that could cause a substantial risk of serious prejudice to future proceedings.

“I would also like to stress that anyone found to be in contempt of court will be arrested and prosecuted.”

The family of missing person Matthew Jordan have appealed for the continued help of the public during the search for Matthew.

Matthew, aged 20, is from the Middlesbrough area,  was visiting Windermere with three friends. He was last seen in Bowness at 1:30am yesterday (27th March) outside the Stag’s Inn.

A family spokesperson said: “We would like to take this opportunity to appeal to anyone who may have seen Matthew or anyone matching his description to get in touch with the Police.

“Matthew is a popular and kind young man; we are obviously very concerned and worried for him. This is so out of character for him not to have been in touch with anyone. We just want to hear from you Matthew

“The last time we seen Matthew, he was his usual happy self.

“Matthew came to the area with his friends, who haven’t seen him since the early hours of Thursday morning.

“Matthew if you see or hear this appeal please get in touch, we love you and we just want you home.

“His friends and family are continuing to help Police in the search for him and again we appeal for any help from the public in the search for Matthew. We’d also like to thank everyone for their efforts.”

Matthew is described as 6ft tall, of medium build, with dark brown hair. He was last seen wearing a navy long sleeved shirt, jeans and brown boots.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Cumbria Police on 101 as soon as possible and ask for the duty sergeant at Windermere. Or you can call Missing People in confidence on 116 000.

Police were called at 13:35 yesterday (30th March) to a report of an assault at Central Avenue, Egremont.

A 46 year old local man was taken to West Cumberland Hospital by ambulance in a critical condition.

Two men, aged 57 and 17 both from the Egremont area, have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and are being questioned at Workington Police Station.

Detective Superintendent Slattery from Cumbria Police said:

“We are taking this incident very seriously and will be investigating thoroughly to establish exactly what has happened.

“If anyone has any information about this incident please call Cumbria Police on 101 and ask for Detective Sergeant Vasey, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Racist graffiti was sprayed on a Chinese takeaway in Standish.

The first took place sometime between 12pm on Saturday 15 March and 12pm on Sunday March 2014 at Silver Star on School Lane where someone used a spray paint to spray offensive graffiti.

The second took place a week later at around 8am on Sunday 23 March 2014 where a racist word was spray painted at the back of the building.

Police are now appealing for witnesses.

Police Constable Steve Waddington said: “The owners of the takeaway are deeply upset by this and do not understand why someone would want to target them twice in a week.  I would ask anyone who may have information as to who is responsible to contact police on 0161 856 7124 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”

Merseyside Police is appealing for information following a firearms discharge in Aigburth yesterday (Tuesday, 1 April).

Detective Chief Inspector Tom Keaton, said: “A full investigation into the incident is ongoing. Detectives are checking CCTV from the area and house-to-house enquiries are being carried out with witnesses spoken with. At this stage we believe this was a targeted attack.

“I am very keen to speak to the driver of a black Ford Focus or Ford Fiesta we believe was in the area at around the time of the incident. You might have very important information that could help our enquiries and I would urge you to contact police.

“I am also appealing to anyone who saw a man wearing a grey hooded top who is also believed to have been in the area at the time. The man is described as white, in his early 20s, between 5ft 8in and 6ft tall and of a stocky build. I am appealing for this man, or anyone who might have seen this man at the time of the incident, to contact police.

“I would like to reassure the community that we do take incidents of this nature extremely seriously and our officers are working to identify the person responsible and there are extra patrols in the area at this time. We look into all information that is provided by the public, so no matter how small you might think the information is, it could be really useful for the investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the Matrix Serious and Organised Crime team on 0800 230 0600 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Eight men have been charged following a drugs operation in Rochdale.

Ashafaq Yousaf (Born 20/10/1986) of Stanley Street, Rochdale has been charged with 20 offences of supplying Class A drugs

Biniamin Ayub (born 15/01/1995) of Arthur Street, Rochdale has been charged with two offences of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and eight offences of supplying Class A drugs

Terrence Meecham (born 08/02/1980) of Kirkstall, Rochdale has been charged with nine offences of supplying Class A drugs

Adeel Younis (born 15/09/1994) of Heights lane, Rochdale has been charged with two offences of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and five offences of supplying Class A drugs

Ghulam Hadhar (born 15/08/1988) of St Peters Street, Rochdale has been charged with being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs

Jordan Betham (born 27/11/1991) of Bentley Mews, Rochdale has been charged with eight offences of supplying Class A drugs and two offences of converting criminal property.

Iftaker Mohammed (born 17/12/1982) of Hey Street, Rochdale has been charged with four offences of supplying Class A drugs

Ashtaq Mohammed (born 10/07/1988) of Gladstone Buildings, Rawtenstall has been charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

All eight men have been remanded in custody and are due before Bury Magistrates’ court on today, Thursday 3 April 2014.

Officers from Rochdale’s neighbourhood policing teams launched the operation, codenamed Operation Rakanda, as their response to concerns the community had that street drug dealing was a problem.

This operation forms part of Operation Challenger, which is the Force’s strategy for tackling organised crime groups across Greater Manchester.

The raids came after months of investigations by officers from the Rochdale division and Serious Crime Division into the distribution of cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin.

A multi-agency plan is now in place for the area to ensure support for drug users and to prevent any further offending in the area.

A 38-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of money laundering and conspiracy to supply a controlled drug has been bailed pending further enquiries until 28 May 2014.

A 29-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply cannabis has been bailed until 21 May 2014.

A 17-year-old boy who was arrested on suspicion of theft has been bailed pending further enquiries until 21 May 2014.

Police were called around 7.15pm on Wednesday 2 April 2014 to reports of a body in a house on Chester Road, Trafford.

On attendance, officers discovered the body of a 60-year-old man.

A post mortem is due to take place to establish the cause of death.

A 51-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody.

The investigation remains at an early stage and enquiries are ongoing.

A man grabbed a girl in Rochdale.

At around 8am on Thursday 27 March 2014, the 13-year-old was standing at a bus stop on Oldham Road, close to a fancy dress shop.

She was approached by a man who asked did she want to get into his car so he could take her to school.  He then tried to grab her wrist but she pulled away before the man walked off.

He is described as being white, tanned, aged in his 30s or 40s, short blonde hair, unshaven, wore a bubble jacket with an orange stripe across the front and had a scruffy appearance.

Detective Sergeant Chris Mannion said: “Members of the community will no doubt be shocked to hear this has happened however I would like to reassure the public we are treating this as a single incident at present and we have had no further similar reports since. In addition we have further patrols in the area.

“The girl was not hurt but has been left shocked by what happened as this is the last thing she expected to happen as she waited for a bus to take her to school.

“I would ask both parents and children to be vigilant and if they are approached by a man asking whether they want a lift, please contact police immediately.”

Anyone with information should phone police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.