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.
Jawaad Karim, 35, of Vicarage Close, Oldham, has been charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life following a shooting on School House Road on February 15, 2026. The charge relates to property damage caused by a firearms discharge. Karim was arrested on March 25 and remanded in custody, appearing at Tameside Magistrates' Court on March 26. Police deployed extra patrols in the area and closed School House Road for several days while investigating. Images from the scene showed suspected bullet holes and a damaged car. Greater Manchester Police are seeking information from the public.
A planning application for 68 affordable homes in Failsworth has been submitted by Emery Planning on behalf of Redwaters Estates. The development would include social rent and shared ownership units, with terraces, semi-detached and detached houses. Over 32 objections have been raised by residents, particularly those on Argyll Park Road, citing concerns about traffic, wildlife, area character, and wellbeing. The application was submitted in February and validated on March 6.
Amirun Ali, a 59-year-old mother of five from Oldham, secured two school jobs after 40 years as a housewife. She joined the Ingeus Restart Scheme in summer 2025, where advisor Sharon encouraged her to attend group sessions. After completing courses, she earned qualifications in food hygiene, customer service, literacy, and interpreting. Ali handed her CV to a nearby school, which offered her a trial as a lunch supervisor, later becoming permanent. She was then offered an additional position as a playground supervisor across the road. The roles have improved her confidence, health, and independence, helping her manage pre-diabetes and high cholesterol. Ali now shares her story at the Oldham Restart Centre.
Five Oldham primary schools will receive funding for new nursery places as part of a £45 million government scheme to help families with childcare costs. The schools benefiting are Beever Primary School, Rushcroft Primary School, South Failsworth Community Primary School, St John's Church of England Primary School, and St. Theresa's BC Primary School. This expansion is part of a wider programme that will create over 6,000 new childcare places across 331 schools nationwide. The government says 30 hours of funded childcare will save parents an average of £8,000 per year per child. The scheme aims to target areas with greatest need, with councils taking over from May.
One Soul Cafe and Eco Store on Oldham Road, Failsworth, has applied to Oldham Council for a licence to serve alcohol on and off the premises. The cafe, which has a maximum capacity of 30 people, plans to operate as a food-led venue serving organic wines, IPAs, craft beers and cocktails alongside small plates made with fresh, organic produce. Alcohol would be available from 12pm-11pm Monday-Friday, 11am-11pm Saturday and 11am-9pm Sunday. The business says the licence supports its expansion plans to create a relaxed community space and is committed to the four licensing objectives of preventing crime and disorder, public safety, preventing public nuisance, and protecting children from harm.
A former NatWest bank on Oldham Road in Failsworth has been approved for conversion into nine flats and a coworking space. The ground floor will contain three units while the upper floor will have six. Each flat will include a kitchen, dining space, living area, one bedroom, and bathroom. The planning officer's report stated the development will contribute to local housing stock and can be implemented quickly due to the site's small size. Conditions include noise mitigation measures due to the building's proximity to the A62. Some ground-floor windows near a public footpath raised privacy concerns, but planners noted this is consistent with existing nearby homes.
A van belonging to a dog walking business was stolen from Medlock Road, Failsworth on March 10, 2026, with seven dogs inside. The van was abandoned near Alexandra Park, and while six dogs were quickly recovered, one remained missing. Volunteers including a retired Oldham neighbourhood officer, Huddersfield Canine Search & Rescue, and Oldham PCSOs helped track the dog over several days. The final dog was found using thermal imaging with help from the owner. Greater Manchester Police continue investigating the theft and are seeking CCTV, dashcam, or doorbell footage from the area.
Nether Hey Street in Oldham will be closed for up to two weeks following a Temporary Prohibition of Driving Order issued by Oldham Borough Council on March 11. The closure affects traffic from its junction with Nuttall Street for 20 metres in a southeasterly direction. The road closure is necessary to allow ENWL to carry out electrical connection works. The Order will remain in force for two weeks or until the works are completed, whichever comes first.
Melissa Young from Oldham has been named Fashion Designer of the Year at the Liverpool Lifestyle Awards. The awards, hosted by Amanda Moss, involve public voting after business nominations. Young runs Lissa MJY Couture, a handmade fashion brand she founded to help people feel beautiful through fashion. She hosted a fashion show at the awards featuring Nova Models models wearing her designs. Young has been in the fashion industry since 2013, creating wedding, bridesmaid, and prom dresses. She also hosts an annual charity fashion show raising money for SHINE, supporting people with spina bifida and hydrocephalus, conditions her son suffers from.
Daisy Nook Country Park, a 40-hectare green space straddling Oldham and Tameside, became a lifeline during lockdown for a local resident who lives nearby. The park features a modest cafe, multiple walking routes including accessible paths to Crime Lake and more challenging trails, and historical sites like the ruins of Riversvale Hall, once home to pioneering Egyptologist Kate Bradbury Griffith. The area also contains remnants of the Hollinwood Branch Canal infrastructure. A volunteer group now works to improve and maintain the park, with Community Payback scheme participants recently helping with the children's play area. The park has become popular with wildlife photographers and has an active Friends group sharing updates and photos.
Avonleigh Gardens care home in Oldham has been named one of the top 20 care homes in North West England by carehome.co.uk. The home was ranked from 1,784 care homes across the region based on reviews from residents, families, and friends. Amanda Hopkins from carehome.co.uk praised the achievement as a testament to the standard of care provided. Home manager Rachel Bowers said the team is 'over the moon' about the recognition, which reflects their person-centred approach to care. The award comes as the UK's elderly population is projected to grow significantly, increasing demand for quality care services.
Walkers in Daisy Nook Country Park report mixed experiences with dog ownership in Oldham. Barry Moran, 80, says occasional irresponsible owners let dogs bite others, while Tammy, 53, notes most owners clean up after pets. Clive Penson and Anne Stott, both 67, say owners are generally responsible, putting dogs on leads near horses. Clive Highton, 63, calls some actions 'anti-social behaviour' including letting dogs foul streets without cleaning up. Dog fouling has increased since bins were removed from the park two years ago, with some owners leaving bags on fences intending to collect them later.
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.
Walton Grove care home in Failsworth, Oldham, has officially opened after a major refurbishment by Exemplar Health Care. The specialist facility supports adults with complex mental health needs, dementia, neuro-disabilities, and physical disabilities. Mayor of Oldham Councillor Eddie Moores opened the home and praised the care team's dedication. The refurbishment created 60 new healthcare jobs, with recruitment ongoing for nurses, healthcare assistants, and nurse unit managers. The home features 40 bedrooms with ensuite wet rooms, two apartments, communal spaces, therapy facilities, and three accessible gardens.
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.
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.
Oldham Council has launched a public consultation on development plans for Beal Valley and Broadbent Moss. The masterplan proposes new housing, a Metrolink stop at Cop Road with park and ride, improved walking and cycling connections, and enhanced open spaces. Councillor Elaine Taylor, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said the plans will deliver affordable housing and better connectivity. The consultation runs from Monday 2nd March until Friday 27th March 2026. Documents are available online at www.oldham.gov.uk and in local libraries and the Spindles Shopping Centre Customer Service Centre.
Residents from Birchwood Nursing Home in Oldham participated in the My Voice event at Wakefield Exchange, organised by social enterprise Turning Point. The event brought together service users, families, carers, and staff from across Turning Point's services. Muhammed, a Birchwood resident, highlighted the importance of wellbeing and collaboration. Interactive sessions explored community building, service improvement, and social contribution. Service Manager Lisa Endley praised residents for passionately sharing their experiences about mental health advocacy. The event also examined how social, economic, and cultural changes affect people supported by Turning Point services.
Photographer Dan Willis visited Daisy Nook country park in Oldham to search for the elusive water rail bird. In a 20-minute YouTube vlog, he documented encountering Canada geese, greylag geese, coots, moorhens, and a mink swimming in the water. Willis highlighted ongoing volunteer restoration work at the park, noting that after years of neglect, a constituted group is working with Oldham Council, local businesses, and charities to restore and maintain the historic site. He eventually captured photos of the small, quick water rail before fading light and rain. The Friends of Daisy Nook community thanked Willis for highlighting their restoration efforts.