A councillor has called for calm after a day of disorder in Salford. The trouble, mainly in the Pendleton area, saw fireworks launched at a police station and a van - and a car set alight.
Throughout the day, there were reports of 'around 20 to 30 people' on unauthorised motorbikes and groups of males wearing balaclavas. The disorder erupted on the day of the funeral of teenager Saul Cookson. He died, aged 15, after his e-bike was in collision with an ambulance on Langworthy Road on June 8. He was being followed by police before the crash.
The funeral ceremony took place at St James' Church at Salford Precinct in Pendleton. Veteran councillor John Warmisham, who represents the Pendleton and Charlestown ward, said: "I would ask for calm.
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"This kind of behaviour is affecting other peoples lives. We need to respect the memory of Saul - and this is not the way. I hope these events yesterday were a one-off and we can get back to normality."
Last month a police watchdog appealed for information from witnesses after the death of Saul. He had been pursued by police officers shortly before the crash. The officers, who were in a marked BMW X5, stopped following Saul after he passed through a set of bollards at the junction with Lower Seedley Road, police have said.
As a result of the police following the bike, the incident has been referred to the IOPC (Independent Office for Police Conduct). They have now launched an investigation which is ongoing.
An IOPC spokesperson said today: “Our thoughts remain with Saul’s family and loved ones, as well as all those affected by his death.
“Our independent investigation into the circumstances of the collision on Langworthy Road on 8 June is progressing well. We are looking at the nature of the interaction between police and Saul prior to the collision, as well as the actions and decision-making of the officers involved.
“Investigators have obtained, and are in the process of reviewing, a significant amount of evidence, including video footage, relating to the events of that day.
“Anyone with information that may assist the investigation, particularly those who saw Saul or the police vehicle shortly before the collision, are asked to contact the IOPC by emailing langworthyroad@policeconduct.gov.uk or calling 0300 303 5568.”
One source said of yesterday's disorder: "It was expected. There has been anti-police graffiti appearing on walls around Langworthy and Pendleton for several weeks since Saul died.
"But this practice of riding around on off-road bikes and on e-scooters in large groups in nationwide issue. We saw it before in 2021 in Salford after a funeral in Kersal when motorbikes and quad bikes caused chaos at the Cromwell Road roundabout.
"It is difficult for the police to stop as the motorbikes and e-scooters can get away up alleyways and across parks, and down rat-runs the police can't access."
Yesterday, the Manchester Evening News understands that a group on motorbikes launched fireworks at Swinton Police Station, on Chorley Road, at around midday and that more fireworks were then hurled towards a police van at around 6pm.
Images also showed how a car that had gone up in flames after being set alight in Clarendon Park, off Churchill Way, at around 6.15pm on Tuesday, with further reports of a large group of males on bikes in a children's play area at around 8pm. It is understood a number of other cars were also left scorched in the local area and were recovered on Tuesday evening, and that members of the public first called emergency services with a number of reports of public disorder and antisocial behaviour in the Pendleton area on Tuesday morning (July 11).
Superintendent Caroline Hemingway of GMP added: “Our officers have been made aware of antisocial behaviour and anti-social vehicle usage in Clarendon Park and in the surrounding areas in Pendleton.
“In response we have dispatched extra officers to the local area to patrol the local community and surrounding areas to provide reassurance to the local community and to answer any questions the public may have.
“We would highly value any information that you may have regarding these incidents. Any information or video footage you have will help bring us one step closer to finding those responsible."
If you have any information, please contact 101 or 999 in an emergency. You can also report online using the ‘report’ tool onGMP's website www.gmp.police.uk. Alternatively, you can report information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
