The victim of the theft, from Bury, believes people were ‘watching her enter her passcode’ in a crowded bar

A woman has said she will never go out in Manchester city centre again after having her phone stolen out of her bag in a Northern Quarter bar.

The 26-year-old from Bury, who requested to remain anonymous, was on a night out with a friend on Good Friday (April 4). “We’re both new mums and hadn’t been out for ages,” she told the M.E.N. “It was our first night out in a while and we were bar-hopping in the Northern Quarter.”

It was the early hours of the morning at NoHo bar when she realised her phone, an iPhone 17 Pro, had gone. “The only time I got it out was when I was paying for a drink,” she said. “I went to do so and my bag was undone. I felt for my phone and it wasn’t there.”

Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily Newsletter

The woman contacted her boyfriend immediately on her friend’s phone, who accessed her iPad, reported the phone as lost and deactivated Apple Pay. “Whoever took it knew the password to get into the phone,” said the woman. “They seemed to have been following me, looking over my shoulder all night and looking at my password.

“I’ve been told it happens quite a lot like that, people looking at how to get into your bag and how it opens. And I’ve been told it is bad for theft in the Northern Quarter at the moment.”

Within half an hour, she had managed to deactivate her phone, Apple Pay and online banking. But within that time, the thieves had already attempted to transfer £3,000 from her bank account, which was luckily caught by fraud detection.

“They went into my Clear Score and tried to take out four loans,” she continued. “Luckily they didn’t complete, but I’ve had to pay for extra barriers so this doesn’t happen again in future.”

The woman said she watched on Find My iPhone as the mobile travelled from Manchester to London, then to Pakistan within 5 days of the theft. “It’s clearly got to be groups of people, it seemed very organised,” she claimed. “When it was in Manchester, I could see the address where it was.”

The woman said she reported the incident to police the following morning. “I could still see the location of the phone, but within two hours, I got a call saying the case was being closed – that there were no further enquiries,” she said.

“I’m not a police officer, I don’t know how it works, but I’m frustrated. It makes me feel like the thieves will keep trying it cause they know they are going to get away with it. I have no faith that if it happened to anyone else, it would get resolved.”

“It is so traumatic,” she continued. “You think it’s done with then the next day they started trying to take loans out. Even beside the financial stress, my whole life is on that phone, pictures of my family, my son. I’ve been riddled with anxiety – and I’ll be paying off a phone that’s not even in the country until 2028.”

The woman wants to raise awareness of how ‘easily’ she believes this can happen. “Throughout the night we saw the same people approaching us. I didn’t think anything of it at the time. They would ask to exchange Instagrams so you get your phone out and put your passcode in.

“I’d advise people to have a bag with a zip on it, not have your phone have the same password as your banking, and be aware of your surroundings,” she said. “But I would never go out in Manchester ever again.

“You are in a vulnerable position. I wasn’t very drunk and could get in touch with my boyfriend – I couldn’t have got home otherwise.

“I feel stupid saying I was lucky to have a friend with me, and that I had memorised my boyfriend’s number, but I was. No-one should ever feel lucky to be in that position.”

Greater Manchester Police confirmed that they had received a report of theft that had been ‘closed incorrectly’ and now was reopen. “Officers are investigating following reports of a theft in the Stevenson Square area of Manchester on 4 April,” the force said in a statement.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact police via 101 or our Live Chat at gmp.police.uk, quoting reference number CRI/06A2/0009470/26. Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”#

In a statement, a spokesperson for Noho said: “We are very sorry to hear that this incident occurred and sympathise with anyone who has been a victim of theft.

“While the incident took place at our venue, it is important to stress that this is part of a wider issue affecting busy city centres across the UK, particularly in late-night environments, where organised groups are known to target individuals they perceive to be vulnerable.“As a business, we take customer safety extremely seriously. We have invested significantly in enhanced security measures within the venue and provide ongoing staff training to identify potential risks and support customers where needed. We also actively encourage guests to remain aware of their surroundings and keep personal belongings secure at all times.

“We always advise that any incidents of this nature are reported directly to the police so that a full investigation can take place. Where requested, we fully cooperate with law enforcement, including the provision of CCTV footage. To date, we have not received any request in relation to this specific incident.“We remain committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all of our guests.”

Robert MacIntyre has targeted improvement in his iron play and reclaiming the Scottish Open title as the new father looks to build on a promising start to the season.

The 29-year-old will be returning to East Lothian’s The Renaissance Club in July, where he won on home soil in 2024.

Ranked 12th in the world, the Oban golfer believes his game is in better shape than it was 12 months ago and, with three majors to come in the summer, he feels his prospects are good.

“Statistically, overall it’s better than it was last year,” he explained. “There’s still things that are hurting me. Iron play this year has not been anywhere near as good as it needs to be, but off the tees, the best it’s ever been and putting is the best it’s ever been.

“So, yeah, if I can find the middle part of that, then I’m in a good spot.

“Outside of the majors, the Scottish Open is the one that I’ve always wanted. When Rory [McIlroy] pipped me [in 2023], I thought, how many chances am I really going to get? And thankfully, I got that one more.

“My game stacks up well for the course and having that home support is great, so I’m looking forward to another one.”

MacIntyre has in the past set a goal of winning a major but parenthood has led to slightly different ambitions, with a return to the lucrative PGA Tour Finals at East Lake in August a goal on the course.

“Life’s obviously completely changed,” he said. “There’s different priorities. It’s just trying to find a new balance, that work-life balance.

“One of my main goals this year is to make East Lake. Some people think, ‘oh, he’s not striving for big enough’, but when life has completely changed, it’s about putting things in perspective and trying to manage it as best I can.

“The start to the year I’ve had has been very good, considering everything that’s gone on. And my partner Shannon’s been brilliant with allowing me to still practise hard and kind of take as much of the strain as she can. When I’m at home, life is simply different and it’s been absolutely brilliant.”

During her speech to unveil the commemorative plaque, Anne said: “Gardens are important for a number of reasons, in terms of historical perspective. When she [Queen Elizabeth II] was growing up, the gardens were one aspect of life that changed dramatically during the war to become places where everybody grew things, and then the spaces afterwards became used for other things.

Nigel Davies has fire a shot across the bow of the Wales star

Scarlets director of rugby Nigel Davies called out Taine Plumtree’s ill-discipline, making it clear the Wales back-rower’s actions are “not acceptable.”

Plumtree’s indiscipline has been a persistent concern and proved costly in the Scarlets’ defeat by Cardiff last Saturday. Seemingly in control at 24–7, the west Walians unravelled in the closing stages. A needless yellow card for killing the ball followed by a second for Blair Murray’s deliberate knock-on, allowed the match to slip away in a 28–24 loss.

“I don’t think it was unlucky. I think it was a poor call,” said Davies when asked about Plumtree’s decision at the ruck.

“We can’t accept that as being unlucky. We’ve spoken to Taine.

“Taine is a great player and a lot of his work-ons are not on his rugby but around his discipline. He knows that.

“It had a big effect on the game. Even looking before that episode there was a bit of a kerfuffle with (Alex) Mann where he rubbed his hands on his head.

JOIN OUR WALES RUGBY FACEBOOK PAGE Latest news, analysis and much more

“That just isn’t acceptable. That sets the scene then for anything else that comes.

“Those are the type of things we’ve been talking about. It’s the pictures we put in front of the referee and also how individuals’ decisions like that can have huge impacts on the result particularly as we are a team who are fighting hard to get results and wins.

“It’s significant.”

Up until the final 10 minutes Plumtree had arguably been the best player on the field.

The 26-year-old carried extremely well, was excellent at the lineout and scored a try while his handling was a delight at times.

Plumtree’s class as a player is not in doubt but far too often his discipline has let the team down.

“For 65 minutes the game probably panned out as we would have hoped but we left ourselves down in that last 15 minutes,” said Davies.

“It is unfortunate we are talking about one individual in Taine but we’ve got to a point with the Scarlets where we’ve got to be accountable for those things.

“We saw the effect it can have. It turned the game on its head.

“Look, it wasn’t the only reason but it was a big factor.”

Midtjylland midfielder Alamara Djabi is in a stable condition having been seriously injured in a stabbing in Denmark.

Local police confirmed the incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning in Herning – the central Danish town where Midtjylland are based.

The 19-year-old from Guinea-Bissau was signed from Benfica’s academy in 2023 and has made two senior appearances for Midtjylland.

The club said in a statement that Djabi had been “in critical condition and underwent emergency surgery”.

“Since then, he has undergone another operation, and thanks to the professional efforts of the emergency responders and later the hospital staff, his condition is now stable,” Midtjylland added.

“He has awakened from an induced coma and is doing well under the circumstances.”

Djabi made seven appearances on loan with Portuguese second division side CD Mafra last season and played once this term for Midtjylland in Europa League qualifying.

The four-time Danish Superliga champions, who last won the title in 2024, are currently second – two points behind AGF.

London has been looking absolutely blooming marvellous of late, have you noticed?

There have been colourful tulips out in full force at Victoria Embankment Gardens, pretty pink cherry blossoms in Battersea Park and Greenwich Park, and the Wisteria is looking lovely on houses around the city. 

But there’s one spot that is awash with colourful flowers a little earlier than usual, and that’s the Isabella Plantation.

And if you’ve never been before, you’re going to want to check it out, as it’s truly magical to behold.

Where is this gem of a place?

The Isabella Plantation is located inside Richmond Park, and it’s a 40-acre woodland garden, within a Victorian plantation.

It was first established in the 1830s, but didn’t open to the public until 1953.

The plantation features an extensive collection of Azaleas, as well as Rhododendron, Magnolia, and Camellia, plus various ponds and ‘unusual’ trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants.

The Azaleas bloom in various shades of pink, purple, and red towards the end of April and into May, and they are a real sight to see.

What have visitors said about it?

Metro’s senior lifestyle reporter, Courtney Pochin, visited last Spring and would encourage everyone to see it if they have the chance, as it ‘took her breath away’.

She said: ‘The colours are so vibrant at their peak, and they’re everywhere. It’s so different compared to the rest of Richmond Park, you feel as if you’ve been transported into a fairytale land.

‘Some people will call it a secret garden, but it’s clearly the worst-kept secret in London, as it gets incredibly busy and tourists flock from all over to see the flowers.

‘It didn’t put me off going, it’s just something to keep in mind.

‘I’d definitely recommend going on a weekday if you can, to avoid the crowds and enjoy nature without worrying about walking into someone’s TikTok or Instagram shot.’

Chris Bose, ABI director of general insurance policy, said: “In helping over 35,000 households find suitable insurance when they might otherwise struggle to access cover, the directory is delivering exactly what insurance is there for – vital, practical support for homeowners facing the challenges of flooding.

Adare Manor has unveiled its exclusive Ryder Cup 2027 official merchandise collection, with apparel and accessories featuring eye-watering prices that have left golf fans talking

Adare Manor has unveiled its exclusive 2027 Ryder Cup merchandise range, and the prices have left many stunned.

Given the prestige of the event – golf’s biggest spectacle – and the setting – one of the world’s most opulent hotels, premium pricing might be anticipated.

However, the Adare Manor collection has still succeeded in turning heads, with even the most basic pieces carrying substantial price tags that are likely to make many golf enthusiasts pause before opening their wallets.

The most affordable polo shirt available, for both men and women, comes in at €150 (£130), while a cap featuring the Ryder Cup logo is priced at €60 (£52). The priciest piece in the range is a Rain Walker jacket, manufactured by Peter Millar, which carries a €650 (£565) price tag.

Advertisement

Adare Manor’s staging of the Ryder Cup is expected to generate over €300 million for the Irish economy. The golf club itself, owned by Limerick businessman JP McManus, will be seeking to maximise all potential revenue opportunities from the tournament.

Merchandise will represent a substantial portion of the club’s income, as is the case at every major golf tournament. It has been reported, for instance, that this month’s The Masters saw Augusta National Golf Club produce approximately €60 million in merchandise revenue.

The Ryder Cup will also feature a considerable corporate element, with many of the premium hospitality suites at Adare Manor already secured. Trophy Suite packages, which were priced at around €13,000, have already been snapped up. This package provides exclusive access to a private viewing terrace with views of the par-3 11th hole.

General admission tickets are not available at present, but golf enthusiasts can now register for a ticketing account, which will enable them to access tickets and enter the official ticket ballot in hopes of seeing Rory McIlroy and Team Europe attempt to defend their crown.

The teenager, a British national from Brent who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested by the Met Police on Sunday after a bottle containing a type of accelerant was thrown through the window of Kenton United Synagogue on Shaftesbury Avenue, Kenton, on Saturday night.

The decision to close Cauwood Day Centre in Malton was postponed at the 11th hour by North Yorkshire Council.

Users were told just last week that the facility faced closure under proposals by the authority.

In response, the families launched a campaign to save Cauwood, which specialises in offering essential activities to disabled adults, assisted by Ryedale councillors.

Cllr Keane Duncan, who joined Cauwood user Matty, and parents, at the Council’s Executive Committee meeting, held at Ripon Town Hall, said: “This is welcome news but follows 12 days of unimaginable hell for the families involved.

“We believed it was potentially unlawful, but certainly undemocratic, to attempt to close this centre without any consultation. After frantic cross-party appeals, the council’s solicitor ultimately agreed it would be legally risky for the Executive to proceed today with its decision.

Cllr Duncan, who represents Norton, added: “The fight to save this vital centre is not over, in fact it’s only just beginning. But this is a welcome reprieve. It’s important now that those impacted are treated with the dignity and respect they so rightly deserve.”

Amotherby and Ampleforth Cllr Steve Mason said: “At times like these, cooperation and coordinating our efforts pays off, following Cllr Duncan’s call to action, I took these concerns in the the Care and Independence committee on Monday, with the expectation that the potential closure will be scrutinised properly. It should not have got to this decision point without some level of investigation by the committee with the actual oversight of the issue. Politics does work when we come together.”

Cllr Lindsay Burr, who represents Malton, said: “Years of underinvestment has given the decision makers to claim the site is not fit for purpose. It beggar’s belief !

“I pleaded passionately to the executive councillors to take time to rethink! They must consider the devastating consequences of possible closure.

“If Cauwood was given the red light to close it will be life changing for the adult learners, the parents and the community who use these vital services in Malton. Fighting is the only way forward to keep Cauwood open.”

Cauwood, which was set up in 1991, operates on a daily basis and offers a wide range of activities for users including a dedicated art room, kitchen, sensory room, and large communal room.

A report to the Executive committee said: “Cauwood Day Service is an older building and both it and the service we are providing is no longer fit for purpose.

“A difficult decision is needed to close the service in order to both re-provide in local alternative community-based solutions for people in Ryedale and surrounding areas, and enable the wider site to be considered for provision of a new Extra Care Housing scheme in Malton.”