Greater Manchester Combined Authority – Page 3

Things can only get better

Greater Manchester Police is still rated “inadequate” when it comes to investigating crime and responding to the public, but is has improved its performance in other areas. But overall it’s not achieving the expected level of service, the police inspectorate has said in a report released earlier today (3rd March, 2022). Her Majesty’s Inspectorate ofContinue reading “Things can only get better”

Better late than never

Following the exclusive breaking of the news, elsewhere on this website (read more here), that his final report has suffered further delays, Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has issued the following statement on the publication of the assurance review into child sexual exploitation in Oldham: “Before any important report like this can be concluded,Continue reading “Better late than never”

You heard it here first

An article published on this website last Saturday (15th January, 2022) exclusively revealed that publication of the long-awaited Oldham Strand of the Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Assurance Review was set to suffer even further delays (read more here). It has been confirmed today by the Greater Manchester Mayor’s office, who commissioned and own the report,Continue reading “You heard it here first”

Will long-delayed CSE report miss yet another deadline?

In a statement published on the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) website on 30th July, 2021, the Mayor of Greater Manchester announced that the long-awaited Oldham Strand of the Child Sexual Exploitation Review will be published in November 2021 or, at the latest, by the end of the year. That deadline was extended by Andy Burnham atContinue reading “Will long-delayed CSE report miss yet another deadline?”

All for nothing?

The perennially ineffective Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has completed the last of three investigations instigated as a result of the Public Inquiry into the death of Anthony Grainger (pictured above alongside his partner Gail Hadfield Grainger). Anthony was fatally shot in Culcheth, Cheshire, by a Greater Manchester Police (GMP) firearms officer during aContinue reading “All for nothing?”

Is Home Secretary prepared to break the law to avoid disclosure?

If only that headline was unique it would be some story, writes Neil Wilby. Regrettably, the United Kingdom presently has the worst (and most palpably lawless and morally bankrupt) Secretary of State for the Home Department in its history. No mean feat when one considers that previous hapless incumbents have included Jack Straw, David BlunkettContinue reading “Is Home Secretary prepared to break the law to avoid disclosure?”

Freedom of information request to Greater Manchester Police – Authorised firearms officers

On 18th July, 2021 an access request was made to Greater Manchester Police (GMP), by journalist Neil Wilby, in these terms: ‘Please disclose the following information by way of the Freedom of Information Act [FOIA or the Act]: “As at the past three force years ending 31st March, 2019, 2020 and 2021 how many licencedContinue reading “Freedom of information request to Greater Manchester Police – Authorised firearms officers”

Mayor says Oldham CSE review will be published ‘by the end of the year’

In a statement published on the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) website on Friday 30th July, 2021, the Mayor of Greater Manchester announced that the long-awaited Oldham Strand of the Child Sexual Exploitation Review will be published in November 2021 or, at the latest, by the end of the year. This Review chiefly concerns historicContinue reading “Mayor says Oldham CSE review will be published ‘by the end of the year’”

GMP response to racism report ‘disappointing’ says watchdog

On 2nd August, 2021, Amanda Rowe, Regional Director for the Independent Office of Police Conduct, said that Greater Manchester Police’s recent report looking at issues of race equality provides some promising progress on policing and race, but also raises uncomfortable questions that all police forces need to be answering (read full report here). It wasContinue reading “GMP response to racism report ‘disappointing’ says watchdog”

Council say ‘conflicted’ Director will not stand down from police investigation.

Following exclusive revelations on this website last week, regarding family connections from which conflicts of interest may arise, an Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council spokeswoman has said that Strategic Director, Communities and Reform, Rebekah Sutcliffe, will not be standing down from a controversial Greater Manchester Police investigation, codenamed Operation Hexagon. After details of the alleged conflictsContinue reading “Council say ‘conflicted’ Director will not stand down from police investigation.”