Wythenshawe police are investigating a violent robbery in which a man was slashed across the chest.

Detectives are appealing for witnesses to the incident which happened shortly before midnight on Wednesday 25 June 2014 in Woodhouse Park.

The victim was walking on Rudpark Road when he was approached by a man. The man demanded cash before punching his victim in the head and slashing him in the chest with a knife. The attacker ran away towards the Peel estate.

The robber is described as white, between 22 and 25-years-old, about 5ft 9in tall and was wearing a dark tracksuit with the hood up.

Detective Constable Lee Fisher from South Manchester Division said: “This was a vicious attack on an innocent man, which resulted in him having 13 stitches for a chest wound.

“It was a horrific incident and a terrifying experience for the victim, who is understandably extremely shaken by this event.

“We urge anyone who may have seen what happened or recognises the description of the man to get in touch.”

Anyone with information should phone police on 0161 856 4884 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111

Wythenshawe MP, Mike Kane says it is vital the NHS and other institutions learn the lessons which have emerged from the investigations into the activities of serial sex offender, Jimmy Savile.

The results of a series of investigations into the former TV presenter’s sex crimes found Savile abused men women and children aged five to 75 in NHS hospitals in a period spanning 50 years. Continue reading “Lessons must be learned from Savile abuse scandal says Wythenshawe MP” →

An investigation into the activities of former DJ and prolific paedophile has concluded there is no evidence he committed offences at Wythenshawe Hospital.

Savile sexually assaulted victims aged five to 75 in NHS hospitals over decades of unrestricted access, investigators have said. Continue reading “No evidence of assaults in Wythenshawe Hospital says probe into paedophile Jimmy Savile” →

Police are now treating the fire which devastated historic Newall Green Farm last weekend as an arson attack.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the fire which was started deliberately between 4pm and 5.50pm on Saturday 21 June 2014.

A group of youths broke into the farmland near Clay Lane and Newall Road and set fire to a 16th century listed farmhouse in Wythenshawe, completely destroying the roof, before running away.

It has already been reported that up to 15 children, one as young as six were in the building when it caught fire.

Detective Constable Anna Meakin of Greater Manchester Police’s South Manchester Division said: “This was a deliberate attack and police take arson attacks very seriously. Luckily, nobody was hurt, but we want to catch the people that did this as soon as possible.

“The community is understandably very upset that this has happened. We’re asking anyone who may know who is responsible for this arson attack or who may have seen people acting suspiciously in the area to contact police immediately.”

Anyone with information should call 0161 856 4982 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Residents and campaigners hoping to save historic building are meet its new owners next week to discuss its future.

Andrew Milne from Zeno Ltd who bought the property recently will meet with residents at the Firbank Pub on Thursday July 3 at 6pm.

Hopes are high the buildling can be saved and that plans to restore the site remain on course.

And in an impressive display of community spirit, a Facebook group, which has gained dozens of new members in the last few days, has rallied to organise the meeting next week

Newall Green Farm was built in the sixteenth century and fell into disrepair when its last occupants died.

It was sold to property  developers who wanted to build luxury flats. But they abandoned the scheme when planning permission was refused.

And recently, Andrew Milne announced the purchase of the site and plans to start the process of developing the farm for the benefit of the local community as a registered care home.