Four boys held on suspicion of starting blaze near Oldham

Date published: 23 April 2018


Four youngsters have been detained by police on suspicion of a number of offences after a fire was started at Dovestone Reservoir near Oldham on Friday afternoon.

It comes after a major blaze began on moorland near the reservoir less than 24 hours earlier which left a two-kilometre square piece of scorched land.

The four males, all are believed to be from the Oldham area, were stopped and held by officers as they came down the hill, near Chew Track.

It’s understood the fire was only small and was quickly put out.

In a post on their Facebook page, Greater Manchester Police in Saddleworth and Lees said: “This afternoon (Fri 20th April 2018) 4 juvenile males have been detained at Dovestones after starting a fire up Chew Track. The 4 males all from the Oldham area were stopped and detained as they came down the hill towards the reservoir.

They will be dealt with in due course by Police for a number of offences.

Please remain vigilant if you’re at Dovestone reservoir.

It is only with a combined community approach that we will be able to tackle this activity and send out a clear message to would be offenders that we will not tolerate this activity and you will be brought to justice with the full weight of the law being applied.”