Greater Manchester Police (GMP) arrested a 40-year-old woman in Wigan town centre at around 10am on Friday 17 July, after officers say she entered areas she had been legally prohibited from accessing under a court-issued order.
The woman was taken into custody and remains detained while GMP carries out further enquiries. Police have linked the detention to an alleged breach of a criminal behaviour order (CBO), a measure used to prevent behaviour that causes harassment, alarm or distress in local communities.
"A WOMAN has been arrested for allegedly breaching a criminal behaviour order."
What the order means and local implications
Criminal behaviour orders are imposed by courts following convictions or where behaviour has been judged to harm community safety. They typically set out prohibitions such as:
- bans on entering specified locations;
- restrictions on associating with named individuals;
- prohibitions on particular activities linked to offending or anti-social conduct.
Breaching a CBO is itself a criminal offence and can result in arrest, prosecution and further court action. For residents and businesses in Wigan town centre, the use and enforcement of such orders are part of how police and the courts seek to manage repeat anti-social behaviour and protect vulnerable people and local commerce.
Known facts of Friday's incident
The details released so far by reporting outlets and GMP are limited to the following:
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age of suspect | 40 |
| Time of arrest | circa 10:00am |
| Location | Wigan town centre |
| Alleged offence | Breach of criminal behaviour order |
| Current status | In police custody |
What happens next
Officers will continue enquiries before deciding whether to refer the matter for prosecution. If charged and convicted of breaching a CBO, the individual could face further penalties including fines or imprisonment, depending on the circumstances and the court's view.
Local residents concerned about anti-social behaviour or unsure whether a CBO applies to a particular person can contact Greater Manchester Police or Wigan Council's community safety team for guidance. GMP continues to monitor town-centre activity and has powers to detain those suspected of breaching court orders intended to protect the public.
