Rachel Smith
Mentioned as official
5 crime articles
Crime in Oldham
Live local crime desk with repeat-name tracking, ward pressure, and cross-case continuity.
24h2
7 days10
30 days40
Active wards13
Tracked people97
Tracking is generated from public reporting and indicates mentions only. It does not establish guilt or conviction unless the source states that explicitly.
Repeat Names Across Cases
Cuong Van Chu
Mentioned as victim
3 crime articles
Duong Van Nguyen
Mentioned as victim
3 crime articles
Joanne Kearsley
Mentioned as official
3 crime articles
Uoc Van Nguyen
Mentioned as victim
3 crime articles
Ian Partington
Mentioned as official
3 crime articles
Matthew Catlow
Mentioned as official
2 crime articles
Jim McMahon
Mentioned as official
2 crime articles
Nam Thanh Lee
Mentioned as victim
2 crime articles
woman in her 20s
Mentioned as victim
2 crime articles
Sajjadur Aziz Malik
Mentioned as convicted
2 crime articles
Stacy Sharples
Mentioned as convicted
2 crime articles
49-year-old man
Mentioned as victim
2 crime articles
Ryan Greenhow
Mentioned as convicted
2 crime articles
Ward Pressure (30 Days)
Police dispersal order in Failsworth after youth disorder
Greater Manchester Police have implemented a section 35 dispersal order in Failsworth, Oldham, from noon on Saturday until 7am on Sunday following reports of disorder and criminal damage. The order covers the Partington Street area extending to Brierly Avenue, Lord Lane and Ashton Road East. Police reported groups of youths causing criminal damage at a business and concern to local communities. Inspector Matthew Catlow stated the order provides officers with additional powers to deal with anti-social behaviour and protect people and businesses. The dispersal order allows officers to exclude individuals from the specified area during stated times.
Police dispersal order Failsworth Oldham anti-social behaviour
Greater Manchester Police implemented a Section 35 dispersal order in Failsworth from 12pm Saturday April 11 to 7am Sunday April 12 2026. The order covers the Partington Street area including Lord Lane between Ashton Road West and Brierley Avenue, Brierley Avenue between Lord Lane and Ashton Road East, and Ashton Road East through to Ashton Road West up to Lord Lane. Police reported groups of young people linked to criminal damage at a local business and behaviour causing concern among residents. Inspector Matthew Catlow stated the order provides officers with additional powers to deal with anti-social behaviour and protect people and businesses. The police urged anyone with information to contact them via 101, Live Chat, or Crimestoppers anonymously.
Man arrested after 120mph police chase on M60 in Oldham
A man has been arrested following a 120mph police chase on the M60 in Oldham. The 37-year-old, who Greater Manchester Police said was wanted on recall to prison, was driving a BMW on the motorway when he was spotted by an officer from the Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit. The officer followed for around five minutes. A video released by police showed an officer stating the BMW driver had appeared to be exiting the motorway but then veered back into the main carriageway. Police chase on the M60 near Oldham (Image: GMP) Police then pursued the man as he weaved in between other vehicles and allegedly into oncoming traffic. The two-minute pursuit in rainy conditions reached speeds of up to 120mph
Three men arrested in Royton after tools, balaclavas and false plates found
Three men have been arrested in Oldham in the early hours of Thursday (April 9) after tools and equipment suspected of being used in thefts were discovered. At around 2.35am, officers stopped a vehicle on Rochdale Road in Royton, Oldham, in which three men were inside. Inside the vehicle, police found numerous tools and items, including balaclavas, winches, jamming equipment, and false plates. A balaclava seized by police (Image: GMP) The three occupants-aged 37, 41, and 42-were subsequently arrested on suspicion of going equipped. The men remain in custody for questioning, while the recovered items will be assessed in due course. Man with links to several parts of Oldham wanted by police as
Man with links to several parts of Oldham wanted by police as appeal launched
An appeal has been launched to trace a man in his 30s with links to several areas of Oldham who is wanted back in prison. Greater Manchester Police has said it is looking to find a man called Mark Batey. Police have said the 35-year-old is wanted on recall to prison. Three fires on moors near Dovestone and Blackstone Edge Warning as major motorway to close overnight for more than a month Pub reopens under new owner with glowing reviews from customers Now, police are appealing to members of the public to help them trace Batey, who has links to the Lees, Shaw and Uppermill areas of Oldham. Anyone with any information about his whereabouts is urged to get in touch with police by calling 0161 85
'I need tissues, he's bleeding out': violent altercation rocks Oldham street
Three men were injured in the incident close to Copster Park An area of Copster Hill Road was taped off yesterday (Image: ASP) Locals have described the moment a man collapsed on the street in broad daylight after a violent altercation near an Oldham park. Greater Manchester Police said they were called to the scene on Copster Hill Road in the Hathershaw area of the town at around 3pm yesterday (April 7) following reports of a disturbance 'involving a group of people who became violent'. Multiple ambulances also attended the scene where three men-aged 19, 23 and 24-were rushed to hospital following the brawl , which is believed to have involved weapons. Local business employee Sam, 32, said
Police appeal for wanted man Paul Hulme with Oldham links
Greater Manchester Police have launched an appeal to trace Paul Hulme, a 42-year-old man wanted on recall to prison. Hulme has links to the Oldham area. Police are asking members of the public to help locate him. Anyone with information about his whereabouts should contact police on 0161 856 8935 or via LiveChat at gmp.police.uk. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Police appeal after three men injured in Oldham disturbance
Greater Manchester Police are appealing for witnesses after a disturbance on Copster Hill Road, Oldham, on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. Three males aged 19, 23 and 24 were taken to hospital with injuries not deemed life-changing or life-threatening. Officers were called shortly before 3pm following reports of a group disturbance. Detective Inspector Kelly Paterson from Oldham CID stated there is no wider threat to the community and a scene remains in place for forensic investigation. Police are working to identify those involved and have increased patrols in the area.
'I don't even need the money': Lego thief stole £100s from B&M before attack on dad
A Lego thief from Oldham with an 'appalling' criminal record stole £100s worth of the toys and then attacked his father while on bail, a court has heard. Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard Robert Vaughan stole £144 worth of Lego from a B&M in October last year, but dropped it when running from the police. Staff told police that Vaughan, of Ashton Road, had been to the Chorley store the week before, when he had taken £214 worth of Lego. He then went back in November and took another £81 worth of Lego. In an interview after his arrest, he revealed his true identity and told police he had no memory of the October thefts, but that he had gone to the store on November 17 with plans to s
Thug sentenced for 'cowardly' attack on police officer in Failsworth
Harry Hesketh was sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court for assaulting PC Alexander outside the Church Inn pub in Failsworth on October 31. The court heard Hesketh hit PC Alexander in the back of the head while she was in full uniform trying to break up a fight. PC Alexander was left choking on her own blood and suffered seizures, requiring surgery for a broken nose and deviated septum. Hesketh claimed he didn't know she was a police officer and panicked when he realised. He received a 12-month suspended sentence, 300 hours unpaid work, 15 rehabilitation days, and £500 compensation.
Police chase in Oldham ends with car crash and two men hospitalised
A police chase in Oldham on Monday, March 30, 2026, led to a car crashing into a safety barrier on Oldham Way. Greater Manchester Police officers attempted to stop a suspicious vehicle on Lees Road just after 7pm, but the car failed to stop and a short pursuit began. The driver lost control and collided with a safety barrier, resulting in two men being taken to hospital. Police confirmed the injuries were not believed to be serious. No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.
Police hunt for George Hill wanted back in prison
Greater Manchester Police have launched an appeal to trace George Hill, a 28-year-old man with links to Oldham and Rochdale who is wanted on recall to prison. Police are seeking public assistance to locate Hill and have provided multiple contact methods including calling 101, using the LiveChat function at gmp.police.uk, or contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. The appeal comes as part of ongoing efforts to locate individuals wanted back in prison.
Three police officers cleared over Bismark Mill fire deaths
Three Greater Manchester Police officers have been cleared of misconduct following an IOPC investigation into the handling of information about four Vietnamese men who died in the Bismark Mill fire in Oldham on May 7, 2022. The men - Uoc Van Nguyen, Duong Van Nguyen, Nam Thanh Le, and Cuong Van Chu - were believed to be working on a cannabis farm when the mill burned down. Two months later, on July 23, their remains were found. The IOPC found that a senior officer failed to share information received from the Vietnamese Catholic Chaplaincy about concerns for a man's welfare at the mill, amounting to gross incompetence. Two other officers were investigated for not properly reviewing the information. No prosecutions have been pursued in connection with the deaths.
Police search for two men over Oldham B&Q theft
Police are searching for two men in connection with a theft at B&Q on Westhulme Way, Oldham. Tools were reportedly taken from the store on March 19 at around 6.15pm. An image of the two men has been shared by GMP Oldham on Facebook. Police believe the men could help with their investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 101 quoting log 1115 of 20/03/2026 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Three arrested after woman stabbed in Oldham
A woman in her 20s was stabbed on Greenwood Street, Oldham at 10:40pm on March 27, 2026, leaving her in serious condition. Police arrested two men in their 20s and a juvenile boy on suspicion of Section 18 assault. One man remains in custody while the other man and boy have been bailed. Detective Inspector Mike Ogiliev said the incident is believed to be isolated with no wider threat to the community.
No charges over alleged celebration of Hitler's birthday at Oldham pub
No criminal charges will be brought after an investigation into an alleged far-right gathering at the Duke of Edinburgh pub in Royton to celebrate Hitler's birthday. In April 2025, images circulated online showing people with flags and a swastika-decorated cake. Nine people were arrested on suspicion of Section 18 Public Order Act offences but GMP confirmed no further action will be taken due to insufficient evidence. Police recovered imitation firearms, weapons, and Nazi memorabilia during raids across Rochdale, Bolton, Trafford, Stockport, and Southport. A suspected grenade was found in Bolton and made safe by Explosive Ordnance Disposal. MP Jim McMahon condemned the event as an affront to those who fought Nazis.
Police cleared after 4 men died in locked cannabis mill fire
An investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has cleared three Greater Manchester Police officers of misconduct after four Vietnamese men died in a fire at Bismark House Mill in Derker, Oldham. The men - Uoc Van Nguyen (31), Cuong Van Chu (39), Duong Van Nguyen (29), and Nam Thanh Lee (21) - were found dead two months after the blaze when demolition workers discovered human remains. The IOPC found a senior officer's failure to disclose information about concerns for a man's welfare amounted to 'gross incompetence' but not misconduct. A coroner ruled the men were being exploited for criminal cannabis cultivation and were likely locked inside when the fire broke out, though their deaths couldn't have been prevented. The fire's cause remains undetermined.
Neo-Nazi group celebration ends without charges
A ten-month police investigation into nine members of the neo-Nazi group British Movement who celebrated Hitler's birthday in an Oldham pub has ended without criminal charges. The group gathered at the Duke of Edinburgh pub in Royton on April 19, 2025, displaying swastika flags and a swastika-decorated cake. Greater Manchester Police conducted dawn raids on May 7, 2025, recovering replica weapons including an imitation AK47, a suspected grenade, and a Nazi-era Zyklon gas canister. Despite the concerning findings, investigators determined there was insufficient evidence to prove a public order offence under Section 18 of the Public Order Act. Oldham MP Jim McMahon expressed outrage at the group's conduct, while Hope Not Hate criticized the apparent impunity with which British Movement operates.
Woman stabbed in Oldham, suspect at large
A woman in her 20s was stabbed in Greenacres, Oldham, on March 27, 2026, leaving her in critical condition in hospital. Greater Manchester Police responded to Greenwood Street at 10:40pm following reports of an assault. A Crime Scene Investigation unit and forensics van were deployed to the area on March 28, with police dogs assisting officers. The suspect remains at large as police continue their investigation. A cordon was established around Spring Street, Raper Street, and Greenwood Street. Chief Inspector Ian Partington stated officers are 'exhausting all lines of enquiry' to locate the suspect.
Woman fighting for life after Oldham stabbing - suspect at large
A woman in her 20s is in critical condition in hospital after being stabbed in Oldham. Greater Manchester Police responded to Greenwood Street at 10.40pm on March 27 following reports of an assault. Crime scene units and sniffer dogs were deployed to the area, with large cordons blocking parts of Spring Street, Raper Street and Greenwood Street. The suspect remains at large as officers continue their investigation through the night. Residents were unaware of the incident until discovering police tape the following morning.