City news in 250 words: Friday 27 August

A LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER COLLECTIVE believes Manchester Pride has lost its way politically. Reclaim the Scene - a group of LGBT activists in Manchester – believes the event has lost its edge. Pride board member Paul Fairweather said that the event had been “dumbed down” in recent years.

THEFTS AT SOUTHERN CEMETERY, CHORLTON: Police in Chorlton are warning motorists not to leave valuables in their cars following a spate of thefts in the Southern Cemetery area of Chorlton. Thieves have been targeting empty vehicles while the owners visit the graves of friends and family. The most popular item being stolen is handbags.

PC CLEARED OF CAUSING DEATH: Pc John Hannan, 32, of Greater Manchester Police, has been cleared of causing the death of Angela Purcell, 38, in a collision in Salford in June 2008. Purcell was in a car which was in a with Pc Hannan's van as it answered an emergency call in a 30mph zone. He was found not guilty of the charge at Bolton Crown Court on Thursday but is still currently suspended from driving duties.

RUSHOLME RESIDENTS VS CHINESE GOVERNMENT: Residents on Schuster Road in Rusholme are accusing their neighbours, the Chinese Consulate, of acting in an un-neighbourly manner by building an extension to their office in the Grade II-listed Denison House. The Consulate is undergoing refurbishments to improve facilities for people collecting visas. Residents say they have not been sufficiently consulted about the project and have written to the diplomats asking for face-to-face talks.

Out of the window weather forecast: It’s been a rainy week but the sun is out today. We suspect a rainbow will appear over the city any time soon...