This morning's Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel was supposed to be a confirmation hearing for Beverley Hughes' appointment as the £75,000 a year Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime.
While the former Stretford and Urmston MP was lightly grilled by panel members, including Salford councillor David Lancaster, the focus was mainly on security and the reaction of Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, to recent events.
Councillor Sultan Ali, from Rochdale, explained that "since Manchester, hate crime increased and horrendous stories are emanating...the Prime Minister, in her speech yesterday really laid into Islam..."
Burnham responded that there needs to be "a new conversation about community relations and about tackling extremism of any kind in our communities, and to ask whether we need to go further."
He added that the Prevent strategy had changed and become "a bit top down and that has lost some engagement amongst our communities".
Greater Manchester had to develop a process of engagement "where we have an honest discussion about how we strengthen those community engagements but also challenge any perception that a blind eye may be turned if anything wrong is happening in any particular community."
The GM Mayor added that while he agreed with some of what Theresa May said yesterday about security, he had concerns when she stated that in some sense 'we tolerate extremism'... "I don't think that is true in Greater Manchester" he insisted "And I think it needs to be put on record that information was provided from communities here with respect to the individual who carried out the attack..."
He called for "a clear Greater Manchester approach to promoting cohesion...that might be the cuddly side of it, but also to tackling extremism...but particularly linked to violence and terrorism. I don't think Prevent will be able to sort all of this from a national level but we need to be able to fill the gaps ourselves..."
He added that, with current incidents and levels of crime rising and police resources falling, the situation was "untenable"
Later, when asked about reactions to Islamophobia and anti-Semitism, Andy Burnham sounded a positive note... "While there has been a rise in hate crime, the response from people more broadly has been something to behold in terms of that determination not to let events divide us" he said.
Meanwhile, in a report to the Salford community in the wake of the Manchester bomb attack, the Salford division of Greater Manchester Police had reported that they had been "experiencing an increase in tensions among the whole community of Salford as well as an increase in reports of suspicious packages and persons...
"There have been several incidents of Banners being hung from the M602 Bridge in Salford" the report added "These banners have had various anti-Isis comments and crimes have been submitted...There have been some low level Public Order incidents, which the victims have attributed to the current tensions over the Manchester attack...There have been no reports of racially motivated damage or attacks to premises on the Division."
At this morning's panel meeting, Andy Burnham concluded: "What we're dealing with here is with extremists who want to promote conflict between communities. And I think the public can now see that, and understand that very well, and last night's event was a powerful statement."
Indeed, last night's Ariana Grande One Love Manchester concert was an overwhelming success with the world's spotlight on the city, which gave out the 'Choose Love' message.
The Red Cross reports that the concert raised an additional £2.7million for the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund, with 450,000 people donating, which underlined that message. The latest total for the Fund is £10.2million. Everyone who went to the Ariande Grande concert was given Love badges and a wristband with the # We Stand Together
...As one of thousands of great gestures in the wake of the Arena attack, a few days ago Salford's boxing dentist, Arthif 'Dr Hitman' Daniel arrived at The Royal Manchester Children's Hospital to visit victims with flowers, cakes, perfumes, cards and some special boxing gloves signed by former world champion Amir Khan.
Like many in the region, Arthif had been devastated by the news of the attack and decided to ask a few friends to donate items to help to raise spirits... "It was horrific to have heard what happened" he says "And it was even more difficult to come to terms that it was right at our doorstep."
Arthif made his intentions known on social media and was taken aback by the response. His sponsors, Sweetooth Brownies, and close friend, Amir Khan, were quick to get involved...
"It was such devastating news that innocent children were killed and affected...in Manchester" Amir told the Salford Star "Arthif advised me that there were still some children being treated for their injuries at the Manchester Royal Children's Hospital. He requested if I could sign some gloves for the children. I was humbled to hear how much it meant to the children and their parents. Many of the kids have since tweeted pictures with lovely smiles whilst wearing the gloves. It makes me content being able to provide something positive in such a difficult time."
Arthif also took the opportunity to show support for the staff and visit his friend Dr. Ibrar Majid who has been taking care of many of the victims... "It was an extremely humbling and emotional experience" he says.
Dr Majid informed that several of the children have now been discharged, but that some still some remained in care, and spoke of the reaction from the patients... "It was really heartfelt and generous. When the children received the gifts they had the widest smiles on their faces. It was wonderful to see individuals who have been through so much look so happy..."
Additional reporting by Ian Leslie
Photos by Anya K
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