Latest news with #Salford
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
More than 100 affordable homes coming to neighbouring town
More than 100 new affordable homes coming to a neighbouring borough will be the first of many, according to its town hall bosses. New residents will soon be moving into 136 properties in Longshaw Drive, Little Hulton, and 29 in Tootal Grove in Weaste and Seedley, following formal approval at a recent town hall meeting in Salford. The homes will be made available for a mix of shared ownership, social rent, affordable rent and sale. Social rent typically sees the homes available for 50 per cent of the local market rent and affordable rent sees the homes at less than 80 per cent of the local market rent. Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said: 'The decisions made means we will have more truly affordable homes for local people in our city. "It is another significant milestone as we push forward with building even more high-quality, truly affordable homes. 'These 106 high quality homes in Little Hulton are of mixed sizes to meet local need and demand. 'At Tootal Grove it is hugely positive to see purpose built move on accommodation prioritised for rough sleepers that can be life changing for the people who move into them. "The wraparound support that comes with the homes will help people move to the next stage of their lives with vital support.' These new homes are part of a wider project to build 600 new homes that are truly affordable for the people of Salford. This was a promise made at the last election, which the local authority believes they are now delivering on. Cllr Tracy Kelly, deputy city mayor and lead member for housing and anti-poverty, said: 'We committed to building 600 affordable homes at the last election. "Local people are desperate for affordable homes to move into and it is good to see these homes coming forward for local people to move into. 'The homes will make a huge difference to the people who move into them and I hope to visit both estates when people are settled and see how they are enjoying their new communities.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
A six-year investigation, DNA evidence and up to £52million worth of drugs brought empire crashing down
A huge drugs empire was brought crashing down following a major six-year investigation by detectives. A trio of crooks have been banged up for over 40 years for their roles in the conspiracy. The investigation was launched when officers searched an address in Salford in March 2019, with further raids carried out on a house in Worsley and a commercial premises in Poynton, Cheshire. It revealed the property was being used at the time as part of a commercial drug supply operation. Behind the scenes were ringleader Payden Candland and associates Leo Groves and Ricky Lee, who were buying a kilo of cocaine every week or fortnight and, over a decade, are believed to have purchased and sold on between 260kg to 520kg of cocaine. READ MORE: LIVE: Manchester services hit after train derails causing UK travel chaos - latest updates READ MORE: They had planning permission to build a garage - but built a house Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE Officers uncovered a large amount of cocaine with a street value of £173,000 and wads of cash totalling £33,080. They also seized a black holdall from the living room that contained two jackets, a coat, disposable gloves, three plastic containers, a box of rubber bands, an assortment of plastic bags, digital scales, a court heard. Leo Groves' fingerprints were found on a carrier bag inside the holdall, which also contained a number of packages of cocaine. His DNA was found on the inside surface of two pieces of latex glove and his fingerprints recovered from a £20 note in a bundle found in the jacket, police said. Greater Manchester Police detectives found the plastic tubs contained a number of separate plastic packages containing a large amount of cocaine weighing a total of 1.7kg. Detectives also recovered several handwritten notebooks from that same bedroom appearing to show detailed drugs transactions dating back to 2009 and implicated Candland, Groves and Lee. Candland was out when officers went to his house in Worsley where a search revealed several mobile phones and £1,953 in cash. On the same morning, Candland and Groves were arrested during a third strike at a newsagent in Poynton. They were both taken into custody on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs. Following the arrest of Groves, a further search was conducted at his home address in Weaste, where a quantity of drugs, snap bags and a mobile phone were recovered, as well as a small quantity of bagged cocaine hidden under the bed, court heard. A review of a seized mobile phone found messages to and from a number of people including 'Pay' later found to be Candland, 'Chodey' found to be Groves and 'Pumba' later found to be Lee. A video on the phone showed a man with a tattoo holding a knife – the tattoo was later confirmed to belong to Lee. A drugs expert concluded that their conspiracy appears to have been dealing with sums between £26m and £52m depending how it was divided up and sold on. Payden Candland, Leo Groves and Ricky Lee pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs at Bolton Crown Court after a six-year investigation. On Thursday (June 26), Candland, 33, of Derby Road, Salford, was jailed for 19 years and nine months. Groves, 33, of Swinton Hall Road, Swinton, for 15 years and nine months; and Lee, 33, of Eccles Road, Swinton, for seven years to be added to the 14 years he was serving for previous offences. Detective Inspector Sarah Langley of GMP's Economic Crime Unit, said: 'This was without doubt a long-running and large-scale drugs supply operation which was running from a small terraced house in Salford. 'The three men ran a sophisticated business model which was professional and commercial, they were boldly selling drugs across our region and exploiting vulnerable people. But now, we have stopped this, and put them behind bars, far away from causing any more harm to members of the public. 'Following criminal proceedings, we will now go after their finances, to ensure they cannot enjoy a luxurious lifestyle from their criminal profits." --- Day in day out, our reporters in the Manchester Evening News newsroom bring you remarkable stories from all aspects of Mancunian life. However, with the pace of life these days, the frenetic news agenda and social media algorithms, you might not be getting a chance to read it. That's why every week our Features and Perspectives editor Rob Williams brings you Unmissable, highlighting the best of what we do - bringing it to you directly from us. Make sure you don't miss out, and see what else we have to offer, by clicking here and signing up for MEN Daily News. And be sure to join our politics writer Jo Timan every Sunday for his essential commentary on what matters most to you in Greater Manchester each week in our newsletter Due North. You can also sign up for that here. You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. Click here to see everything we offer, including everything from breaking news to Coronation Street. If you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider downloading the Manchester Evening News app here, and our news desk will make sure every time an essential story breaks, you'll be the first to hear about it. And finally, if there is a story you think our journalists should be looking into, we want to hear from you. Email us on newsdesk@ or give us a ring on 0161 211 2920.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Naga Munchetty is seen for the first time since it was reported BBC bosses apologised to Geri Halliwell-Horner after an interview with her
Naga Munchetty has been seen for the first time since it was reported BBC Breakfast bosses were forced to apologise to Geri Halliwell-Horner after an interview with her. During the awkward resurfaced interview from October 2023, Naga interviewed the Spice Girl alongside her co-anchor Charlie Stayt. On Thursday, Naga was seen for the first time since the clip was unearthed as she left the BBC Studios in Salford City, Manchester, accompanied by a security guard before getting into her car. At the time Geri appeared on the breakfast show to promote her latest novel and was outlining the 'rules' behind her drive, and she very passionately began: 'First rule: have courage, take the chance you fear the most,' pointing at Naga she added 'which you did.' Listing another rule, she pointedly said: 'Be useful, Charlie.' Her comment appeared to be in reference to Naga appearing before MPs to say she was 'never taken seriously' by doctors over her uterus condition, which had happened just days before the interview. The clip saw Geri, 52, then caught off guard by Naga as she asked: 'Do you not like being interviewed?' Charlie also claimed Geri had been pointing her finger a lot. After the segment ended, Geri allegedly said she did not want to appear on the show opposite the pair ever again. One source has now alleged that 'a few people' at the BBC had 'apologised afterwards for Naga being a cow to' Geri. The claims emerged amid total chaos at BBC Breakfast - and a power struggle between bosses and presenters described by one source as being like 'The Hunger Games'. Its editor Richard Frediani has taken an extended period of leave amid claims he is too tough. There are also allegations that Naga and Charlie have fallen out. When Naga and Charlie interviewed Geri almost two years ago, viewers were shocked at how awkward it was. As Geri reeled off her rules, she continued: 'Second rule, united we stand, we need each other. Third rule, never give up, be of service, be useful, Charlie. Fourth rule, if you don't like these rules, make up your own.' Naga then probed Geri on whether she had 'researched' them before the interview after her rules had referenced both presenters, while Charlie accused her of 'pointing her finger' a lot during the chat. During the discussion, Naga said: 'Do you know what, you're very interesting as an interviewee. You've come in, making sure you've done your research on us as well haven't you?' Geri insisted it was the 'polite thing to do', before Charlie jumped in, and said: 'Also, you point your finger quite a lot, to be honest.' It comes as BBC Breakfast staff defended their 'overwhelmingly loved' boss under fire from Naga - and claimed 'he's not a bully at all and the truth will come out' Shocked, she replied: 'Is that rude?! I'm so sorry Charlie.' Naga then asked: 'Do you not like being interviewed?' Now it has emerged that the BBC later gave Geri an apology. A source has told The Sun: 'Everyone noticed the interview was becoming quite awkward and then when Geri referenced Naga's life directly things got really frosty. 'Geri isn't used to that kind of approach and felt ambushed, it unnerved her. 'A few people apologised afterwards for Naga being a cow to her and then Geri made it clear she didn't want to be interviewed by them again in future.' MailOnline have contacted BBC representatives for comment. It comes as BBC Breakfast staff defended their 'overwhelmingly loved' boss under fire from Naga - and claimed 'he's not a bully at all and the truth will come out'. It was revealed last week that editor Richard Frediani has reportedly taken an extended period of leave, after an internal review of bullying and misconduct allegations was opened into the show. It was previously claimed that the show's staff are feeling increasingly 'uneasy' around Frediani, and just last week it was claimed that Naga and other presenters no longer speak to their 'loathed' boss. But some staff rushed to defend Frediani. One of those members of staff told The Mirror: 'He is not a bully at all and the truth will come out. 'He's a great boss and was - and is still - overwhelmingly loved by the team, who respect his drive, expertise, and journalistic ambition. 'He has delivered great audiences and the first ever Bafta for Breakfast. He can be brash and opinionated but works so hard for his team and allows people to flourish.' Another said: 'Yes, he is old-school and can rub people up the wrong way but it's always in the pursuit of great television. 'It's the best-rating breakfast show in the country - it's not supposed to be a walk in the park. 'Some - Naga included - need to understand this. It feels like it's a case of presenter power turfing out a brilliant journalist.' A BBC spokesperson said: 'While we do not comment on individual cases, we take all complaints about conduct at work extremely seriously.' The BBC reportedly launched a bullying probe into BBC Breakfast, which has been branded 'toxic' behind the scenes in the latest crisis for the corporation. Back in April, MailOnline exclusively revealed some staff had expressed unhappiness with the show's editor Frediani, accusing him of being on occasion 'aggressive' and 'belittling' towards his underlings. Tensions are said to be 'rife' between hosts and Charlie and Naga, who has already expressed her uneasiness about Frediani's behaviour, with the probe said to have left the newsroom 'divided'. A source told The Sun at the time: 'To the viewer BBC Breakfast is a warm, gentle programme, one that is flourishing in the ratings. But beyond the cosy red sofa it is a very different picture. 'Several people — crew, production and even presenters — have been very unhappy. 'Tension between Charlie and Naga is rife. Fredi is very old-school and has some slightly tyrannical tendencies. He is very cerebral but also quite aggressive in his methods. Some people think a recent promotion has gone to his head. 'Meanwhile, Naga, who is passionate about speaking up if she believes something is wrong, has spoken to people who are unhappy. 'Formal complaints have been lodged, so the BBC has to be seen to act. The probe has really divided the newsroom.' More recently BBC Breakfast staff have reportedly compared the studio to 'the Hunger Games' after an internal review of bullying and misconduct allegations was opened into the show.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Iceland is making major change to ALL its checkouts across UK in new crackdown
ICELAND is set to make a major change to all of its checkouts in the UK in a bid to crack down on theft and violence against staff. The retailer plans to install facial recognition cameras in stores with trials of the scheme already underway. 2 Two Iceland stores are currently trailing the technology with plans in place to roll out the cameras more widely. How does it work? Cameras are reportedly provided by Facewatch, a security firm that also works with Home Bargains and several other big retailers. The technology is said to check customers faces against a database of people deemed to have committed a crime in the past. If a former criminal is spotted the system will alert all staff so that action can be taken. If the tech doesn't find a match on the database the information is immediately deleted. The cameras check customers against a "subjects of interest" database as they enter the store. When are the cameras being installed? The new tech is currently being trialled at stores in Bradford and Salford. Iceland reportedly plans to expand this to six stores by October 2025 and roll it out further following that. The firm claimed that the tech had only been installed after a due diligence process. Iceland said that the the system provided by Facewatch had been reviewed by the Information Commissioner's Office and the firm's status as a data controller made it a reliable partner. It's expected that the tech will lead to a massive 30 per cent reduction in violent incidents in stores. Facewatch claim that the tech is proven to reduce theft by at least 35 per cent in the first year. Retailers across the country have been trialling facial recognition cameras in a bid to clamp down on theft. Which other stores are using the tech? Asda have been trialling a similar system in five different stores since March. 2 Home Bargains, B&M and Frasers Group – including Flannels, House of Fraser, Sports Direct and Evans Cycles, have all been trialling Facewatch in stores. Iceland addressed the roll out of the technology in a statement, with a spokesperson saying: "Following a robust due diligence process, we can confirm that our facial recognition trial is now live in two stores and will expand further this year. "This is part of our continued investment into tackling violent retail crime and protecting the safety of our colleagues and customers." 55k thefts every day across UK By Julia Atherley BRITAIN is facing a shop- lifting epidemic with a record 55,000 incidents a day. In 2024, it cost retailers £2.2billion, up from £1.8billion in 2023, figures show. Offences reported by police in England and Wales have jumped 23 per cent to more than 492,000 in the past 12 months, says the Office for National Statistics. The scourge is being driven by the perception that offenders are rarely caught or punished. Graham Wynn, of the British Retail Consortium, described shoplifting as a 'major trigger for violence and abuse against staff'. Mr Wynn said: 'The rise in organised crime is a significant concern, with gangs hitting stores one after another. 'Sadly, such theft is not a victimless crime; it pushes up the cost for honest shoppers and damages the customer experience.' Labour has promised to make assaulting a retail worker an offence and treat more seriously thefts of goods worth less than £200.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Chris Hill blasts the player welfare given to Salford's stars in cash crisis
CHRIS Hill has blasted the 'atrocious' player welfare he and his Salford team-mates are having to endure through their financial crisis. Bridging finance is expected to see a winding up petition brought by HMRC, scheduled for today, adjourned and the £626,000 debt paid off. 3 Whether wages will be paid tomorrow, as is normal, or by the end of the month, as it contracted, is anyone's guess. But England prop Hill is in no doubt about one thing – the support Paul Rowley's players have received from the governing body is nowhere near good enough. He said: 'The player welfare's atrocious. It's atrocious. 'It's good within the club. Chris O'Connor's led that, but a bit wider. Putting restrictions on us, making lads roll out with injuries, it's poor. 'You saw it against Hull FC. Cain Robb gets knocked out, he stands up, blood pouring off and lets him play on. It's poor and that's just one part of it. 'When you're playing with young lads, they know you're playing with injuries and they're letting it carry on. What would you expect us to do? 'There are still lads playing with injuries now and while Sam Hill's a great prospect, he shouldn't be playing week in, week out. 'That's not because he's noy been playing well. That's just for his welfare. 'Youngsters like him and Nathan Connell are taking the chances and they'll learn a lot from this experience but there are a lot of lessons to be learned from this. 'They'll learn from the experience but they shouldn't be going through it.' Hill also vented at the lack of clarity over who to tell at the Rugby Football League, adding: 'Who do we feed back to? I've not a clue.' Eight senior stars have left Salford amid months of wage dramas as owners Sire Kailahi and Curtiz Brown scramble to pay players and staff. Hill, who moved from Huddersfield for this season, has not thought about shipping out but he cannot blame those who had enough. 3 The 37-year-old told SunSport: 'I've always said I understand those who've left. 'You've got to think of your family and what's best for you at the end of the day. If that was leaving, good on them. 'But I want to stay and that's what I'll do. 'Hopefully it does turn around and if it does happen, we can build off this. 'There's belief and I want to play for these boys, young lads coming through and stuff like that. I've always said that and I want to help them in as many ways as I can. 'If that means sticking it out and really grinding it out, I will do. I've stuck to my guns. 'I've stuck to what I've done throughout my career. I'll fight to the death for my team. The minute you stop enjoying it, the minute you retire. 3 'We're still here, we're still believing and we'll fight for everything.' Regarding the Cain Robb incident, a Rugby Football League spokesperson said it was managed between the Salford medical staff and the match officials – as suggested by post-match comments from the Salford head coach, the incident was not immediately clear. They added: "The match officials stopped play as soon as they became aware (the tackle following), and they took appropriate action." On the player welfare point, they commented: 'Player welfare has been a key consideration throughout the RFL's approach to the issues at Salford this season. 'The stated priority of doing all possible to support the club through their financial problems has had a focus on ensuring players and staff being continued to be paid and maintaining the sporting integrity of the Super League competition. 'The decision to limit the club's salary cap was made in an effort to help the club address their financial issues. The RFL holds regular meetings with RL Cares and the GMB Union which would be forums for concerns to be raised.'
