Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have made significant strides in their efforts to hold accountable those involved in violent disorders that swept through the region in late July and early August 2024. The unrest affected areas in Manchester city centre, Piccadilly Gardens, Newton Heath, Rochdale, and Bolton, with assaults reported on members of the public, police officers, and bus drivers.
As of September 5, 2024, GMP has made 122 arrests, leading to 102 charges and 60 convictions. These efforts have been facilitated through close collaboration with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and local criminal justice agencies. This cooperation has helped ensure that offenders are swiftly brought to justice.
The investigation, led by a team of experienced officers from GMP’s Serious Crime Division, involved the thorough review of CCTV footage, body-worn video, and social media content. Detective Chief Inspector Jill Billington stated, “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.”
Public cooperation has been crucial, with over 100 reports received from citizens aiding the identification process. Despite these developments, GMP is still seeking information on 18 remaining suspects involved in the disturbances. DCI Billington appealed to the public, emphasizing, “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.”
The investigation is ongoing, with GMP urging the public to provide any information that could assist in identifying the remaining suspects through their Major Incident Public Portal. Authorities continue to underscore the importance of community cooperation in ensuring that all those involved are held accountable, reinforcing public safety and deterring future incidents.
