‘Absolutely manic’: hot weather puts unprecedented pressure on Greater Manchester police

Force has seen busiest month in its history, with heatwaves putting added strain on criminal justice system On England’s hottest day of the year so far, Ashton-under-Lyne in Greater Manchester was thronging with pedestrians, many clutching ice-creams or cold drinks as they passed through the town centre. Officers from Greater Manchester police were also out in force, some in plainclothes, some stationed by a facial-recognition van, apprehending wanted suspects and stopping persons of interest...

By Hannah Al-Othman North of England correspondent