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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

Ward Pressure (30 Days)

Alexandra 9
Failsworth West 4
Failsworth East 3
Derker 2
Oldham Central 2
Oldham West and Royton 1
Royton North 1
Royton South 1
Limeside 1
St Mary's 1
Little Lever

Sexual predator falsely accused 10 men of rape in Oldham

Stacy Sharples, 31, of Martin Avenue, Little Lever, falsely accused 10 innocent men of rape between 2013 and 2019, causing them to be arrested, questioned, and suffer devastating impacts on their relationships and job prospects. The court heard how Sharples targeted men through dating websites and social media, making false allegations that led to arrests ranging from 8 hours to 18 months on bail. Victims included Kaylum Davies, James Blundell, Astron Inman, Andrew Dearden, Reece Lockett, Conor Austin, Anthony Green, Jack Byrne, Andrew Jackson, and Lee Dixon. Sharples pleaded guilty to 10 counts of perverting the course of justice and was described by Judge Nicholas Clarke KC as a 'sexual predator' who caused harm to genuine victims in the justice system.

Royton North

Police update on Royton murder investigation - Oldham

A 48-year-old man was found dead at a property on Higginshaw Lane in Royton on Sunday, March 8, after emergency services responded to a welfare concern at 10:23am. Police arrested a 49-year-old man on suspicion of murder and held him in custody for questioning. Greater Manchester Police have now confirmed the suspect has been bailed pending further enquiries, with the investigation still ongoing. Detective Inspector Rachel Smith stated the incident is believed to be isolated and poses no wider threat to the public. Police have increased their presence in the area while conducting extensive enquiries to establish the full circumstances of the incident.

Royton North

Man arrested for murder in Royton, Oldham

A 48-year-old man was found dead at a property on Higginshaw Lane in Royton at 10:23am on March 8, 2026. Emergency services including police and paramedics attended the scene but the man was pronounced dead. A 49-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody. Greater Manchester Police's Major Incident Team is conducting extensive enquiries to establish the full circumstances. Detective Inspector Rachel Smith stated the incident is believed to be isolated with no wider threat to the public. An increased police presence remains in the area whilst investigations continue.

Royton North

Man arrested for murder in Oldham flat death

A 49-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a 48-year-old man found dead at a flat in Royton, Oldham. Police responded to a 'concern for welfare' call at 10:30am on Sunday morning at the corner of Salmon Fields and Higginshaw Lane. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Forensic investigators and detectives were photographed at the scene, with an officer standing guard outside a block of flats. Greater Manchester Police say enquiries are ongoing and 'all lines of enquiry cannot be ruled out at this time'. Detective Inspector Rachel Smith described it as an 'isolated incident' with no wider threat to the public.

Royton North

Man found dead in Oldham as police launch investigation

A 49-year-old man was found dead at a block of flats on Higginshaw Lane in Royton, Oldham on Sunday morning. Greater Manchester Police responded to a 'concern for welfare' call at 10:23am and emergency services attended the scene. The man was declared deceased at the location. Forensic investigators and detectives were photographed at the property with an officer standing guard. Police have launched an investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident. The man has not been named and no further details have been revealed by police.

Royton North

Police investigate death of 49-year-old man in Royton, Oldham

Police launched an investigation after a 49-year-old man was pronounced dead at a property in Royton, Oldham on Sunday morning. Emergency services responded to reports of a concern for welfare at an address on Higginshaw Lane shortly before 10.30am. The man was declared deceased at the scene. Forensic investigators and detectives were photographed at the scene on Sunday morning, with an officer standing guard outside a block of flats. An ambulance was also present at the corner of Salmon Fields and Higginshaw Lane. Greater Manchester Police said enquiries to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident were ongoing. No further details have been revealed and the man has not been named.

St James

Body found on Broadbent Road shocks Oldham residents

Police closed Broadbent Road in Watersheddings, Oldham, on Friday morning after a man's body was found near the post office. The road was cordoned off just after 8am, with police confirming the discovery shortly after 11am. Residents expressed shock and sadness, describing the area as normally quiet with two primary schools and a cricket club. Kingsland School nearby reported no disruption to pupils. Greater Manchester Police confirmed an investigation is ongoing.

Alexandra

Police respond to aggressive man report on Huddersfield Road Oldham

Greater Manchester Police responded to reports of an aggressive man on Huddersfield Road in Oldham on March 3, 2026, at approximately 12.45pm. Officers attended the scene and established that a male had made verbal threats before leaving the area. No arrests have been made, and investigations are ongoing. The incident occurred on a major road in Oldham town centre.

Failsworth East

Drug dealer caught after police pulled over BMW in Oldham and made big discovery

Matthew Harrison, 52, was jailed for 12 years after police pulled over his black BMW on Middleton Road, Oldham, on September 18 last year. Officers found 6kg of cannabis, 1,000 MDMA tablets, and 55g of cocaine in the car. A search of his home uncovered £156,000 in cash hidden under bedside drawers, a Rolex-branded watch, paintings, and two cash counting machines. Harrison pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs and money laundering at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on February 26. Detective Constable Andy Pearson said the sentence reflects the seriousness of drug supply and the harm it causes communities.

Alexandra

Armed police called to Littlemoor Lane after knife threat near Asda

Armed police were deployed to Littlemoor Lane in Oldham on Tuesday 3 March 2026 following reports of an aggressive male making threats near Asda. The incident began around 12.45pm when police received calls about a man allegedly making verbal threats and possibly carrying a knife. Officers established that the male had made threats before leaving the area. No arrests have been made and no weapons have been seized. Police vehicles and both armed and unarmed officers were seen concentrating on one address in the road.

Failsworth East

Oldham criminals jailed February 2026: rapists, attempted murder

February 2026 saw multiple Oldham criminals jailed for serious offences. Graham Tardif, 78, of Stephenson Street, Failsworth, was jailed for 14 years for sexually abusing three girls over nearly 30 years, including raping one victim at least 10 times. Romon Haque, 38, of Yasmin Gardens, Oldham, received 28 years for attempting to murder nurse Achamma Cherian at Royal Oldham Hospital in January 2025 after she denied his methadone request. Ryan Greenhow, 37, was sentenced to seven years and four months for making children aged 12-15 send indecent images via social media threats. Shaun Grenfell, 37, of Sharples Hall Street, received nine-and-a-half years for raping a woman while she slept and assaulting a man causing two black eyes.

Failsworth East

Man in 80s seriously injured in Oldham assault, suspect arrested

A man in his 80s was found seriously injured at a property on Stoneleigh Road in Oldham at around 5:10pm on Sunday, March 1, 2026. Police arrested a man in his 30s at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder. The victim remains in hospital in a life-threatening condition. Superintendent Cara Charlesworth stated the victim and suspect are known to each other and pose no risk to the wider community. Officers have increased their presence in the area while conducting a thorough investigation.

Saddleworth South

Attempted murder probe in Oldham as man in 80s left in life-threatening condition

Greater Manchester Police launched an attempted murder investigation after officers were called to Stoneleigh Road in Springhead, Oldham at 5:12pm on March 1, 2026. They found a man in his 80s with multiple injuries who was taken to hospital in life-threatening condition. A man in his 30s was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in custody. Police Superintendent Cara Charlesworth stated the victim and suspect are known to each other and pose no wider community risk. Officers have increased patrols in the area while conducting their investigation.

Man wanted on prison recall in Oldham area

Greater Manchester Police are seeking 50-year-old Edward Thompson, who has links to the Oldham area, on recall to prison. Police have released a photograph of Thompson and are appealing for public assistance to locate him. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact police on 0161 856 9035 or report anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Royton North

Oldham man jailed for stalking female police officer

John Heywood, 56, of Plumpton Close, Royton, was sentenced to 30 months in prison at Manchester Crown Court on February 24, 2026, for stalking a female police constable. The victim stated she had to change her daily routine, take taxis to work, and experienced severe mental health impacts including sleep difficulties and constant fear. She described Heywood as 'everywhere I turn' and expressed distress knowing he had photographs of her on his phone. Judge Alan Conrad KC noted Heywood remained in denial about his actions and had lost his mother while in custody. A restraining order and deprivation order for his phone were granted, along with a statutory surcharge payment.

St Mary's

Oldham man jailed for rape and assault

Shaun Grenfell, 37, of Sharples Hall Street, Oldham, was sentenced to nine years and six months in prison at Minshull Street Crown Court for raping a woman in her early 20s in 2024. The victim woke to find Grenfell raping her and later described feeling 'fundamentally changed' by the attack. Grenfell also assaulted a man in April 2024, causing two black eyes and requiring hospital treatment. Judge Matthew Corbett-Jones said the relationship breakdown was 'no excuse' for Grenfell's behaviour and imposed a 15-year restraining order preventing contact with the rape victim and two family members.

Man wanted on prison recall in Oldham and Rochdale

Greater Manchester Police have issued an appeal to locate 52-year-old Bernard Ward, who is wanted on recall to prison. Ward has connections to both Oldham and Rochdale. Police are urging anyone with information about his whereabouts to come forward. Information can be submitted by calling 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police hunt Gareth Gillan wanted on recall to prison

Greater Manchester Police are seeking Gareth Gillan, 44, who has links to Oldham and Blackpool, after he was recalled to prison. Police have issued an appeal through their Oldham social media channels asking the public for help locating him. Anyone with information can contact police on 0161 856 8935, use the Live Chat at gmp.police.uk, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Alexandra ward

Man found dead at Snipe Clough Nature Reserve in Oldham

Greater Manchester Police responded to reports of a concern for welfare near Thatcher Street, Oldham at 9.15am on Monday, February 23. A man was found dead at the scene near Snipe Clough Nature Reserve, a popular walking route that links to Alexandra Park. The area was cordoned off by police but has since been cleared and reopened. The force confirmed there are not believed to be suspicious circumstances and the file has been passed to the coroner.

Failsworth West

Oldham man jailed for threatening children to send indecent images

Ryan Greenhow, 37, from Oldham, has been jailed for seven years and four months after pleading guilty to 22 counts of non-contact child sex offences. Between November 2024 and March 2025, Greenhow contacted six victims aged 12-15 via WhatsApp, TikTok, and Snapchat, sending them indecent images falsely claiming they depicted the victims. He threatened to share these images with their friends and family unless they sent him indecent images in return. Greenhow's threats included messages like 'This is your last chance, everyone will know this is you' and 'I have seen your nudes, add me'. Some victims complied and reported his activity to parents, carers, and teachers. Detective Constable Adair of Greater Manchester Police's City of Manchester Division thanked the victims for coming forward and highlighted the detailed phone analysis that identified further victims.