Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson has apologised after phones belonging to Jihad Al-Shamie, the Heaton Park Synagogue attacker, were seized twice but not examined prior to the October 2025 assault that killed two men. The devices contained evidence of his extremist views, and an IOPC investigation is underway.
Greater Manchester Police apologized for a "missed opportunity" to examine seized phones of synagogue attacker Jihad al-Shamie before his October 2023 attack, which could have revealed his extremist mindset. The apology followed the life sentencing of Mohammad Bashir for planning a separate terrorist act on the UK Defence Academy with Shamie.
Greater Manchester Police arrested three individuals in connection with a financial crime investigation into the University of Greater Manchester, alleging fraud, bribery, and money laundering involving over £1m and a million emails.
A 15-year-old boy's body was recovered from a reservoir near Manchester after a swimming incident, as the UK faces a surge in water-related deaths (at least 7 in June, following 15 in May) during its record-breaking heatwave, with police and experts warning against the dangers of cold water shock in open water bodies.
Sir Stephen Watson, chief constable of Greater Manchester police, stated that UK policing has adopted "the language of activism" and that official guidance has "over-corrected" to combat racism accusations. He believes this perception, fueled by anti-racism guidance, has contributed to public distrust, despite not personally believing in "two-tier policing."
Muhammad Amaad (26) and Mohammed Fahir Amaaz (21) won't face a second retrial for allegedly assaulting a police officer at Manchester Airport in 2024 after two juries failed to reach verdicts.
Over 70 parents accuse James 'Jay' Austin, owner of girls' football club Red Star Lionesses, of fraudulently taking over £28,000 for non-existent tournaments, kits, and sessions with Women's Super League players. Austin, with two prior fraud convictions, denies all allegations, citing a civil matter. Investigations by Greater Manchester police and the Football Association are underway.
