Greater Manchester Police has appealed for information in a series of crimes this month, from a shooting, to hit and runs, to burglaries and robberies. They took place across the region - some in broad daylight, others after dark, and while some happened days ago, others remain unsolved after weeks.
What they all have in common is that witness testimony could provide the key to justice. Here, the Manchester Evening News looks at just some of the unsolved offences which you could help police with - whether it's because of something you spotted, people you might recognise, or dashcam footage you might have.
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'A young child seriously injured'
GMP is appealing for information to identify the driver of a motorbike who failed to stop at the scene of a collision on Petticoat Lane in Wigan on Wednesday 13th April.
Emergency services were called at 12.16pm to a report of a collision involving a blue Suzuki GS 500 motorcycle and a pedestrian. The pedestrian, a two year old child, was taken to hospital with serious injuries which are not believed to be life threatening.
Inspector Sam Davies, of GMP's Wigan Response Policing Team, said: "A very young child has been seriously injured and we are appealing for the public's help in order to trace the rider of the motorcycle and establish what exactly has happened in the moments leading up to the collision. We are interested in speaking to anyone who may know who the rider is or anyone that we have not already spoken to, who may have CCTV footage showing the incident".
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police on 101, quoting incident number 1245 of the 13 th April 2022 . Information can also be given via the Live Chat service on GMP's website: www.gmp.police.uk. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
A crash and then a shooting
Detectives are investigating after a shot was fired on Cheetham Hill Road moments after a two-car smash. Police have recovered a car believed to have been involved in a crash before a firearm was discharged, thanks to information supplied by the public.
Officers attended the scene at around 11.25pm on Monday 11 April where it’s believed two vehicles were involved in a collision before a gun was fired. A BMW was recovered and is being examined by officers.
Superintendent Helen Critchley, from GMP’s City of Manchester district, said: “I would like to thank the members of the public for providing the information that has allowed us to recover a BMW, which is now undergoing forensic examination. However, we are still appealing for information about the collision and subsequent firearm discharge - we particularly want to hear from anyone who may have dashcam footage of the incident.
“This was a reckless incident but fortunately no-one was injured. Any witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage is asking to get in touch by calling 0161 856 1146 or report it online at www.gmp.police.uk. "
Officers believe the incident was isolated, with no wider risk to the public.
Tragedy by a pub on Friday night
Police need the help of the public after a woman was tragically killed by a car which hit three people. Officers were called at around 9.20pm on Friday, April 8, to Ormskirk Road, Pemberton, Wigan.
Three pedestrians had been standing on the pavement, near a pub, when they were hit by a silver Land Rover Freelander travelling along Ormskirk Road towards Orrell Road. The driver failed to stop at the scene.
One of the victims, a woman in her 40s, died later in hospital, and two men suffered serious injuries. PC Oliver Batty, from GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “We’re keen to hear from anyone who may have any information or dash-cam footage that may be able to assist with our investigation and give the woman’s family the answers they deserve.
“In particular, anyone who may have seen a silver Land Rover Freelander in the area of Ormskirk Road in the minutes leading up to this incident is urged to contact us. Anyone with information is asked to call 0161 856 4741."
Can you name these men?
CCTV images have been released after an aggravated burglary in Sale in February. Police say that at around 5pm on February 23, a Wednesday, three men in a silver-grey Volkswagen Tiguan pulled up outside an address on Oaklea Road, Sale.
The trio - all seen carrying machetes - smashed a window at the back of the property to get in, and left after what officers describe as an 'untidy search'. Detectives are keen to speak to the three males pictured in the CCTV images as part of their enquiries.
Anyone with information, or anyone who can identify these three males, is asked to contact PC Denny on 0161 856 7634 quoting log number 2147 of the 23rd February 2022 .
'A terrifying ordeal'
A motorcyclist was knocked off his bike in Hyde before being battered with a hammer in broad daylight. The man was riding his motorcycle on Mottram Road, Hyde, before coming to the Lumn Road junction, when a black Audi A3 approached from behind and knocked him off, at around 11.20am on March 24.
A group of males – armed with a hammer – got out of the vehicle and attacked him, before making off with the motorbike towards Hyde. The victim was left with serious injuries, including a fractured spine and extensive broken bones in his hands.
Detective Sergeant Peter Goddard, from GMP's Tameside District, said: "This was a terrifying ordeal for the male who was simply riding his motorbike on the road. Enquiries are on-going, but any information the public may have could help us with our investigation.
"Anyone who was walking or driving in the area around these times may have information or dashcam footage. Any witnesses are asked to call 0161 856 4136 ."
'Completely unacceptable behaviour'
Buses had to be diverted and removed from service after being stoned. Police have since released a CCTV image of a man they wish to speak to following the incident in Leigh on the morning of Wednesday April 6.
At around 11.15 am, police received a report that a man had been spotted throwing stones at the buses, leading to TfGM temporarily diverting the buses along an alternate route as a safety precaution. Three buses were damaged and had to be removed from service causing serious disruption for passengers.
Officers attended the scene but have not located the offender. Inspector Stephen Griffin said: "This incident caused disruption to the local transport services in the Worsley/Atherton areas and put the public and bus drivers in danger.
"This is completely unacceptable behaviour and will not be tolerated. A full investigation has been launched and we are working closely with TfGM and First Buses to try and identify the offender.
"We would like to speak to the man pictured in the CCTV images as part of our enquiries and would ask anyone who could identify him to please get in touch with police on 0161 856 5324, quoting log 1085 6/4/22 ."
Knifepoint Rolex robbery
A jogger was robbed of his watch at at Sale Water Park at around 6.50pm on March 22. Police say the man had been running in an isolated area of the park when he was approached by two men and held at knife point by one of them.
He was told to take off his watch and hand it over to the pair, who then fled the scene on mountain bikes in the direction of Stretford towards Stretford Cemetery. The watch was a Rolex Submariner in Stainless Steel Be-Gold Oyster Perpetual engrave with a black face. The first offender is described as a black male, in his mid to early 30s, approximately 6ft1 and of a large build.
He was wearing a black puffer jacket with his hood up and a black snood covering the lower part of his face. He was also wearing black tracksuit bottoms and black Nike trainer with an underfoot bubble. His bike was a black and grey mountain bike with front suspension.
The second offender is described as a white male, believed to be between 20 and 30 years old, around 5ft 9 to 5ft 11 tall and of a slight build. He was wearing a dark grey Nike tracksuit zip up top with a hood, which he was wearing up over his head. He was also wearing dark blue jeans and light coloured trainers.
Enquiries are ongoing and officers are appealing for anyone with information or who may have seen two men behaving suspiciously in the area at the time to get in touch. The public are encouraged to contact police on 0161 856 7655 or 101 quoting incident 2470 of 22/03/22 .
Any information related to these incidents can be passed to GMP via their LiveChat at www.gmp.police.uk or via the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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