---

Issued by GMP Press Office

Police in Wigan are trying to trace the owner of an air compressor found during a raid.

Around 10 am on 26 August 2010 police carried out a raid at a house on Dorset Road, Atherton.

A yellow Powercraft 24 litre air compressor was recovered and is believed to be stolen.

Officers have yet to find the owner and are appealing for anyone who has recently had this large power tool stolen to come forward.

Police Constable Jimmy Mitchell of Atherton Police Station said: "This is a very expensive machine and we want to reunite it with its owner.

"If anyone has any information about this tool, then please don't hesitate to get in touch."

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 7329 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.

---

Issued by GMP Press Office
 
Police are hunting armed robbers who dropped a handgun during a raid on a Leigh convenience store.

At about 10.15pm last night, Saturday 28 August 2010, two masked men brandishing handguns entered the No 1 convenience store on St Helens Road.

They ordered the shopkeeper, a 54-year-old man, to open the till but he refused.

One of the robbers grabbed the till but the shopkeeper held onto it and during the ensuing struggle the offender dropped the handgun. The robber eventually managed to take the till and both men ran out of the shop with the till and a quantity of cash.

Both robbers then ran off. No-one was injured but the shopkeeper was left shocked by the incident.

Both offenders were white. One had a slim build and wearing a grey two-tone camouflage jacket, a black scarf round the face, black gloves, grey tracksuit bottoms and carrying a black rucksack with white writing.

The other offender was of medium build and wearing a dark jumper, black balaclava with black or dark gloves and tracksuit bottoms.

Detective Constable Paul Finnen, of Wigan CID, said:...

---

Issued by GMP Press Office

Police in Leigh are investigating after two flagpoles were stolen from the cenotaph in Leigh.

Between midnight on Friday 6 August 2010 and 6.30am on Tuesday 10 August 2010, the flagpoles were stolen from the war memorial on Church Street.

Officers in Leigh have carried out inquiries and are now appealing to anyone who may be able to help to come forward.

Police Constable Barry Willans said: "It is hard to understand exactly why someone would want to steal these flagpoles, but the offenders need to understand that their actions have caused a tremendous amount of distress.

"We have been in regular contact with the British Legion who are understandably keen for justice to be carried out.

"We are appealing to anyone who was in Leigh on this particular weekend who may have seen anything that may assist this investigation to call us."

Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 0161 872 5050 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

---

Issued by GMP Press Office


Police in Leigh have seized around 100 cannabis plants.

At 8.45pm on Tuesday 24 August 2010, officers attended a house on Keats Street and carried out a search warrant.

Between 100 and 120 plants were recovered along with growing equipment.

Police are trying to trace the offenders and inquiries are ongoing.

Sergeant Darren Agnew, of GMP's Wigan division, said: "This is a result for the local community as this cannabis seizure, which was supervised by Sergeant Glenn Eccles, meant we have managed to take a significant amount of cannabis out of circulation.

"We will always act on information provided to us by the public, so if anyone knows about the production of cannabis in the area, I'd urge them to get in touch.

"I would also urge people to continue to be vigilant and if they spot unusual activity at houses to call us. Tell-tale signs can often include lots of different people coming and going at unusual times and all of the windows in a property being covered day and night, as well as a pungent smell."

Anyone with information on the supply of drugs I...

---

STUDENTS GET A TASTE OF LIFE IN THE POLICE

Students from Wigan and Leigh College were given an insight into policing this summer.

PCSO Michelle Ashurst from the Wigan Neighburhood Policing Team organised a two-day course for Public Service students (aged 16-20) who are keen to have a career in policing.

During the course pupils had the opportunity to find out what its like to work for various Greater Manchester Police departments such as Counter Terrorism and Criminal Justice and Partnerships. Presentations were delivered highlighting the daily work of a Neighbourhood Inspector and PCSO.
 
Mounted police officers also attended the course with two police horses. Students were spoken to about road safety and were given the chance to drive in a car simulator.

PCSO Michelle Ashurst said: “This course was a great way for students to become familiar with the various policing roles available in Greater Manchester Police and the responsibilities that come with them. I’ve had fantastic feedback from the students who took part and I hope to run a similar course in the future.”

Renata Anderton, Course Manager, paid ...