Manchester Riot Roundup: 122 Arrested and Counting
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are cracking down hard after violent riots rocked Manchester city centre, Piccadilly Gardens, Newton Heath, Rochdale, and Bolton in late July and early August 2024. The chaos saw assaults on police officers, bus drivers, and the public, leaving communities shaken.
Hundreds of Hours of Footage Fuel Arrests
By September 5, GMP had arrested 122 suspects, charging 102 and securing 60 convictions so far. The force teamed up with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and local justice bodies to speed justice.
Detective Chief Inspector Jill Billington, leading the Serious Crime Division’s investigation, said, “The criminal disorder we saw in areas of Greater Manchester a month ago was shocking and struck fear right in the heart of our communities. Since then, we’ve worked through thousands of hours of video footage to identify and bring to justice violent individuals who assaulted police officers, members of the public, and damaged property.”
Still On The Hunt: 18 Suspects At Large
Public help has been crucial, with more than 100 tip-offs aiding the probe. But GMP is still after 18 suspects who have yet to face the music. DCI Billington urged, “There are still some people out there who haven’t yet received a knock on the door from us, and we’d like to speak to them about the disorder.”
Community Cooperation Essential to Crack Case
The force’s investigation rolls on. GMP is calling on the public to report any info via their Major Incident Public Portal. They stress that working together is key to nabbing all involved and preventing future outbreaks of violence in Greater Manchester.
