Latest news with #M.E.N.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Join our Oasis WhatsApp group
In just a few weeks time, the once unthinkable will happen when Oasis take the stage for the first time in 16 years. To keep up to date on all things Oasis at the M.E.N, you can join our new Whatsapp community for the band. It is completely free to join, and all you need is a phone and to download the Whatsapp messaging app. Use this link to join today. Our community is the best place to hear all the latest breaking news and fascinating stories around Oasis and their blockbuster tour. You can catch up on the newest developments, ticket prices and updates on the Manchester band's Oasis Live 2025 tour dates at Heaton Park, Wembley, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Dublin. READ MORE: Girl, 13, 'topples into reservoir in front of her dad while taking photo' READ MORE: Violence erupts in Piccadilly Gardens as man stabbed in back with trio arrested No one will be able to see who's receiving our broadcasts and no one else can send messages except for the M.E.N. team - and you can leave any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'Exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Yahoo
Location of second counter terrorism raid in Greater Manchester confirmed as three arrested
Police have confirmed the location of a second counter terrorism raid over a suspected plot to 'target a specific premises'. Armed police descended on three addresses in Greater Manchester at around 7pm on Saturday (May 3) as part of a pre-planned operation. The Manchester Evening News reported on the dramatic moment a man was detained by counter terrorism officers on East Street, Rochdale, yesterday. The M.E.N. can now confirm a second raid was carried out on Heathbank Road in Cheadle Hulme. The Metropolitan Police said a 29-year-old man was arrested in the Stockport area. READ MORE: LIVE: Counter-terror police make three arrests in Greater Manchester related to 'plot to target specific premises' - latest updates READ MORE: 'In 33 years of living here, this is the last thing I would have expected' Neighbours described seeing a huge police presence with armed officers 'pointing a gun at a man on the ground'. Others said police told them to 'get down' as they ran down the road before storming the address. Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE Police confirmed this morning that five arrests were made in connection with the suspected plot across the country. A 29-year-old man was arrested in the Swindon area, a 46-year-old man was arrested in west London, a 29-year-old man was arrested in the Stockport area, a 40-year-old man was arrested in the Rochdale area, and a man (age to be confirmed) was arrested in the Manchester area. All the men except the one arrested in Manchester are believed to be Iranian nationals and have been detained under the Terrorism Act. Commander Dominic Murphy, Head of the Met's Counter Terrorism Command, said: 'This is a fast-moving investigation and we are working closely with those at the affected site to keep them updated. 'The investigation is still in its early stages and we are exploring various lines of enquiry to establish any potential motivation as well as to identify whether there may be any further risk to the public linked to this matter. 'We understand the public may be concerned and as always, I would ask them to remain vigilant and if they see or hear anything that concerns them, then to contact us. 'We are working closely with local officers in the areas where we have made arrests today and I'd like to thank police colleagues around the country for their ongoing support.'
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Yahoo
Police issue statement after neo-Nazis celebrate Hitler's birthday in Oldham pub with swastika cake
Greater Manchester Police have confirmed they are investigating after neo-Nazis celebrated Adolf Hitler's birthday at an Oldham pub. North West members of the fringe far-right extremist group British Movement pulled out racist flags and a cake decorated with a swastika at the Duke of Edinburgh, in Royton, last Saturday afternoon (April 19). Pub staff told the Manchester Evening News they had been unaware of the group's activities, and they have since reported the matter to police. READ MORE: Drama as Jet2 flight to Manchester Airport diverted due to 'disruptive passengers' READ MORE: Neo-Nazis celebrate Hitler's birthday in an Oldham pub with racist flags and a swastika cake The M.E.N. understands police are investigating the incident as a Section 18 public order offence - which includes the displaying of written material which is threatening, abusive or insulting, intended to stir up racial hatred. Greater Manchester Police has issued a new statement this afternoon (April 27), as it urges anyone with information about the incident to come forward. A force spokesperson said: "Police in Oldham are investigating reports that a group attended a pub on Market Street in Royton in possession of Nazi memorabilia. "We are treating this incident with the utmost sensitivity and severity, and we are appealing to the public. "If you have any information which may assist with the progression of the investigation, please to come forward. "Information can be shared by calling 0161 856 9577 or 101 quoting log 784 of April 24, 2025." The M.E.N. revealed how members of British Movement celebrated Hitler's birthday at the pub before boasting about their exploits on social media. Pictures posted on the organisation's Telegram feed showed the group displaying Nazi flags and a cake decorated with a swastika. One picture, showing three men with their faces pixelated holding a flag emblazoned with a swastika, SS bolts and the Iron Cross, has been digitally altered to include a black and white photograph of Hitler. Another shows five men stood posing behind the flag of British Movement, which was approached for comment by the M.E.N. Video footage obtained by the M.E.N. shows the men unfurling flags and posing for pictures, with one wearing a German national team football shirt with 'Fuhrer 44' printed on the back, appearing to do the Nazi salute. A post on the group's Telegram feed reads: "On a gorgeous sunny afternoon in Greater Manchester, a platoon of Northwest British Movement met up to celebrate the 136th Birthday of Uncle A." The Duke of Edinburgh's incoming landlady Jean Anderson, who is taking over the pub next week from her partner Terry English, told the M.E.N. she was angered by BM's actions. She said: "We didn't see anything until it was posted online. We thought it was a birthday party. They said they had a cake, but we didn't know what happened because they covered everything up. "The pub was full. There were about six to eight men and one woman. They sat in the corner and didn't cause any problems. I have never seen them before but they definitely won't be coming in here again." Craft Union, which owns the pub, said it was 'absolutely appalled at what took place' as it promised the group would not be welcome to visit its premises again.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Yahoo
Inmates at Forest Bank prison involved in 'passive protest' as government decides its future
Prisoners were involved in a protest on a wing at Salford's troubled Forest Bank prison which was 'peacefully resolved', managers have confirmed. The drama involved some inmates climbing 'at height' according to one well-placed source who said bosses had 'lost control'. The claim has been denied by spokesperson for the privately-run prison, which can house up to 1,460 inmates, who insisted the prison is operating a 'normal regime'. The prison source told the Manchester Evening News that trouble erupted at the prison on Tuesday morning, adding that 'association' had been ended so that most inmates could not mix on the wings and remained locked in their cells. READ MORE: Inmate jailed for slashing three victims found dead in Strangeways prison READ MORE: Manchester Airport issues statement after dad passes through security with weapons The Manchester Evening News put the allegations to prison bosses who have now responded, denying the source's claim that specialist outside resources were drafted in to restore order. An HMP Forest Bank spokesperson said: 'We can confirm that minor changes to the prison regime were made to further incentivise and encourage engagement in work, education and other rehabilitative activities. "A small number of prisoners were involved in a passive protest on one wing on Tuesday morning, 22nd April. This was quickly and peacefully resolved. The prison has been operating a normal regime.' The Ministry of Justice confirmed earlier this year it had temporarily extended Sodexo's contract to run the under-fire prison in Salford. Justice minister Lord Timpson confirmed in a letter in January that the 'contract award letter was issued in early August 2024 however an issue with the evaluation process was identified', prompting the delay in the announcement of the new contractor. The France-based facilities giant Sodexo was granted an extension to give the government more time to decide who should run the jail. Insiders at the prison expected a decision last summer, as the billion pound contract to build and run the jail ran out on January 19. Staff believed Sodexo would be axed following an M.E.N. investigation which uncovered allegations of widespread drug use and inmates who 'run the wings'. It prompted an MP and Salford's mayor to write to the government to demand an 'urgent' review. Revelations included a call from Salford and Eccles MP Rebecca Long-Bailey for the Ministry of Justice to cancel the contract. In the summer the M.E.N. reported that two sources at the jail had said that the Ministry of Justice had decided to award the new contract to another company, but that Sodexo was appealing the decision. The Manchester Evening News' investigation in 2023, based on allegations from a whistleblower, an ex-prisoner and his father, and the family of a grandfather who died in his cell, exposed what Ms Long-Bailey branded a 'culture of lawlessness' at the jail. The M.E.N. revealed that: Drugs are rife, smuggled in via 'legal letters' and inmates are 'off their t**s a lot of the time' Inmates brew their own hooch Violence is commonplace and inmates 'run the wings' Staff feel 'unsafe' and a lone guard can be 'left to guard 100-plus inmates' Staff have to buy 'their own uniform because of cost-cutting' A desperate father paid off a drug dealer on his addict son's wing because 'staff didn't protect him' Sodexo's initial contract to run the prison ended on January 19, 2025. Back in 1998, it was awarded a deal worth £1,006,771,964 to design, build and run the prison built on the site of the former Agecroft power station under a private finance initiative to house a maximum 1,064 inmates. The deal was to last 25 years, before being extended. Sodexo, founded and based in France, runs six prisons in England and Scotland, and in 2022 recorded revenues of 21.1 billion euros, including 'underlying operating profit' of more than a billion euros, up 83 per cent. A Prison Service spokesperson said: 'We have extended the current contract to maintain continuity while procurement remains ongoing.'
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Yahoo
Teen ambushed and attacked with machete in horror robbery at nature reserve
A 19-year-old teen was left in a "state of shock" after he was struck with a machete during a robbery in a popular nature reserve. Finley Leech was about to leave Healey Dell, in Rochdale, when he was attacked by "seven lads" who stole his electric bike from him. According to Finley's dad, Ben, the teen was struck on his arm with a machete after he refused to hand over his bike and attempted to evade the assailants. The attack took place last week on Friday evening (April 4). Finley had spent most of the day with his friends at the pump track, which is on the Whitworth end of the Dell. But that evening, a large group arrived at the track and soon began threatening riders by shouting things like "give us your f***ing bike", according to Ben. READ MORE: LIVE: Bomb squad carry out controlled explosion after World War Two tank shell found in house READ MORE: Man, 24, suffers life-changing injuries after horror crash on motorbike Their attention turned to Finley, who was riding a £4k electric bicycle which he had bought as a treat for himself with the help of family members. Finley, from Whitworth, was attacked as he walked away from the gang, first with fists and then with a machete that was brandished by a member of the gang. "They said, 'give us your bike' and Fin has used some expletives and set off walking away from them back home," said Ben. "He says that as he walked kind of 10 yards, they started attacking him, just punching him. Initially trying to get him off the bike. "He then gets to a gate and he realised that his escape was stopped and that's when they pounced on him. He says there were at least seven lads around him at that point. "He presumed that the lad who produced the machete was never going to use it, he thought it was just a threat, just some lad posturing assuming that he would give away his bike. "Once he got to the gate he was hit with a fist, that made him turn around but he then saw the lad swinging the machete at him and it struck his arm, just above his elbow. "Obviously that caused him to panic. He said that one of the lads who was in the group that was attacking him, looked scared himself, and said something to Finley like 'run please, just run.' So then Finley left his bike and tried to run away." Ben says that Finley soon called him in "a state of panic" and he reported the incident to the police, who swiftly arrived at the scene. Finley was taken to the A&E at Rochdale Infirmary where he was treated for his wound. Speaking to the M.E.N. about the incident, Ben added: "Fin phoned me in a state of panic, he was shouting that his bike had been taken and told me that he had been hit with a machete. He was just really screaming, get the police! Get the police! "I eventually met up with him at the Whitworth end of Healey Dell, there's a bike track there that I'm sure attracts a lot of kids when the weather's nice. I got down there still on the phone to the police, I met with Finley who was still in a state of shock, completely white with blood pouring onto his right sleeve. Fin has since recovered and is back at work. Having previously worked in the criminal justice system for 20 years, Ben says he is speaking to the M.E.N with the hopes of raising awareness and to push for more work to be done by the police. "They need to investigate it now, do something now and stop this kid who's clearly prepared to brandish and use a machete," he said. "I'm wise enough to know the criminal justice system isn't gonna do a great deal by way of getting off the streets and throw away the key. "But get him some help, get him in, get him punished, but then get him rehabilitated or educated enough to the extent that he knows the impact that this can have and he doesn't do it again." A spokesperson for Lancashire Constabulary said: "It has been reported and is under investigation. We have made a number of arrests and enquiries are ongoing."
