City news in 250 words

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE have had thousands of pounds worth of equipment stolen in the past year. Over £11,000 worth of items such as batons, handcuffs, mobile phones, laptops, sat-navs, body armour and even food were stolen from police vehicles and Greater Manchester Police headquarters last year.

NORTHERN RAIL has reported an increase in train ticket sales since barriers were installed at Oxford Road station. The barriers now only open when a ticket is fed through. The gates have been put in place as part of a pilot system to help reduce the number of people travelling without a ticket, estimated to cost the rail industry £210m every year.

STAR WARS actor Kenny Baker who played R2-D2 is recovering in Wythenshawe Hospital after he was taken ill on Tuesday with serious chest problems. The 73-year-old who played the robot in five of the six Star Wars films, lives in Preston. His son, Kevin Baker told BBC news: “He was very seriously ill but he's out of bed now.”

SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON has praised Elano following City’s 2-1 victory over Sunderland on Sunday. He told mcfc.co.uk: “It’s good to see a player like Elano coming back and doing so many good things again, because we need the real Elano and I hope he stays like this until the end of the season. Elano was out of form so it’s good to see them back like this. He’s the player with imagination who can see things, play team-mates in and score goals as well.”