Here at Confidential we get a constant stream of reports, releases and updates from Greater Manchester Police. This is a small selection of the reports received so far this week, not all of them.

Some do make for depressing reading but it's worth remembering that Greater Manchester has a population of 2.6m and that recent figures show crime rates have fallen across both the region and the country.

Sunday 20 April: Teenager in serious condition after elderly man falls ill at the wheel

A girl, believed to be 15, remains in a serious condition at Manchester Royal Infirmary after an elderly man in his 80s fell ill at the wheel.

Just before 10.50am on Sunday 20 April, the man was driving down Chapeltown Road, Bromley Cross, when he lost control and collided with the girl.

The man is also in hospital, in a serious but stable condition.

Anyone with information should phone the Serious Collision Unit on 0161 856 4741.

Friday 18 April: Arrest after Harpurhey bingo shooting

A man has been arrested on suspicion of the attempted murder of a mother and son shot at a Gala Bingo hall on 12 January.

A 31-year-old man has been arrested after the 22-year-old victim and his 56-year-old mother were shot in the wrist and elbow respectively, after the son had picked his mother up from playing bingo at the North City Shopping Centre on Lee Road.

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Thursday 17 April: Man stabbed in the neck in Trafford Park

On Sunday 30 March 2014 at around 4am, a man attending the Fifteen Years of Sidewinder event at Bowlers Exhibition Centre in Trafford Park was stabbed in the neck.

The man had tried to enter the toilet and became involved in an argument with a group of men stood outside the toilet.

One of the men stabbed him in the neck leaving the man with twelve stitches.

The offender is described as a black man, aged between 22 and 26, about 5ft 7in tall and of average build. He had short shaven black hair, shaved to a number 1, and spoke with a local Manchester accent.

He was wearing a white or light grey long sleeved jumper or jacket and was stood with two other black men of similar age.

DC Martin Walsh of Trafford division, said: "This is a very serious, totally unprovoked attack on a man who was simply trying to use the toilet.

“He was extremely lucky, had the knife hit the carotid artery in his neck this attack could have ended with fatal consequences and we would have launched a murder inquiry." 

If you saw the altercation taking place, or have any information about the men who may be responsible, please contact Stretford Police on 0161 856 7655, or independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. 

Bowlers EXhibition CentreBowlers Exhibition Centre

Wednesday 16 April: Gun fired in Oldham

Two men, 24 and 25, have been arrested following a firearms discharge in Oldham.

(Click here to add text)At around 10.30pm on Tuesday 15 April police were called to Ashton Road East where it was reported that a gun had been fired and that a group of men were trying to force their way into a house.

Officers arrived and discovered a gunshot in the door. The two men remain in police custody.

Tuesday 15 April: Three Halifax banks burgled in four days... but thieves leave empty handed

Police are hunting burglars that struck three banks in Sale, Altrincham and Didsbury in the space of a few days in January. Officers believe the incidents are linked.

The first incident took place between 11pm on Tuesday 31 December 2013 and 00.20am on Wednesday 1 January 2014 at a Halifax bank on George Street in Altrincham.

The second burglary, this time at a Halifax on School Road in Sale, occurred at 2am on Saturday 4 January 2014.

Later that day, around 7pm, a third burglary occurred at the Halifax on Wilmslow Road, Didsbury.

In Altrincham and Sale the offenders removed tiles from the roofs to gain access. In Sale the thieves smashed through a front glass door.

Extensive damage was caused each time, but in all three incidents the thieves failed to steal anything.

Anyone with any information about any of these crimes should call police on 0161 856 4973 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The burglars targeted Halifax banksThe burglars targeted Halifax banks

Monday 14 April: Police release CCTV image following Chorlton armed robbery

Detectives investigating the armed robbery of the Co-op store on Barlow Moor Road have released this image (main picture) of the offenders.

An anonymous company has also offered a £5000 reward following the incident.

The robbery took place around 1.55pm on Wednesday 9 April 2014, when two men wearing dark clothing and motorbike helmets walked into the store.

They threatened security staff who were making a cash delivery to an ATM inside the shop and grabbed the cash box.

They escaped on a motorbike in an unknown direction.

Detective Constable Mark Evans from South Manchester division, said: “We have released the image of the two robbery suspects and we would urge you to take a close look at the still.

“We are keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the robbery or saw the offenders fleeing on a motorbike? You may know who is responsible or recognise the men in the photograph."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 4991, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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