Three Arrested in Oldham as Police Probe Historic Child Sex Offences

Three men have been arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing children in Oldham, police confirmed today.

Officers from Greater Manchester Police carried out dawn raids at addresses in Oldham, Rochdale and Bolton, detaining suspects aged 34, 44 and 65.

All three remain in custody for questioning on suspicion of rape.
The eldest man is also being quizzed on additional allegations of grooming a child, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and child trafficking.

The investigation relates to offences against two victims who were both under 16 at the time the abuse is alleged to have occurred.

The arrests form part of Operation Sherwood, a dedicated probe launched in 2022 after an independent review condemned “significant failings” by police and council services in their past handling of child sexual exploitation (CSE) reports in the borough.

Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker, force lead for protecting vulnerable people, said:
“We are absolutely committed to securing justice for those who suffered abuse in Oldham around two decades ago.
”These arrests follow months of painstaking evidence-gathering and reflect our continued determination to act whenever new information comes to light.”

Parker stressed that the operation is “progressing at a pace that puts victims first” and vowed that “time will not be a barrier” to pursuing offenders.

Oldham Council, which has previously apologised for its failure to protect youngsters, is supporting the police through its complex safeguarding hub.

Separately, work is under way to set up a local public inquiry into historic CSE, led by Judge Tom Crowther who chaired the recent Telford abuse inquiry.

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