Police Section 60 authority in place following a night of disorder in Oldham

This morning (Friday), Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has authorised a Section 60 authority in the outlined area of Oldham.

The Section 60 will be effective in the following areas, streets and roads:

Junction Constantine Street with Greenacres Road

Greenacres Road to A62 / Oldham Way

Oldham Way to Park Road

Park Road to junction with King's Road

King's Road via the outer border of Snipe Clough Nature Reserve

Snipe Clough Nature Reserve to Dean Terrance junction with Alt Lane

Alt Lane to Abbey Hills Road junction with Holts Lane

Holts Lane to Sunny Bank

Sunny Bank to Thomas Street junction with High Street

High Street to Lees Road junction with Wellyhole Street

Wellyhole Street to junction Constantine Street with Greenacres Road

The police's Section 60 powers come under the 1994 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act and will run for 24 hours.

Having been authorised at 02.59am this morning (Friday), it is set to expire at 02.59am on Saturday (July 5).

The Section 60 authority - which grants officers extended powers to stop and search individuals within the area – has been authorised following a number of incidents overnight involving weapons.

At around 6.05pm, officers were called to reports of two SUVs chasing each other on Lee Street, at which point one of the vehicles collides with a tree, and males with machetes that were chasing the vehicle try to attack the driver.

At around 10.20pm, we were called to reports of a large disturbance is reported involving at least 10 males with various weapons.

On police arrival, officers reported more than 100 people in the street with pockets of disorder still in the area, which dispersed following police arrival.

At around 10.35pm, we were called to reports of a man being attacked on Roundthorn Road.

On arrival at the scene, officers locate a smashed taxi and a man in his 20s with minor injuries.

Three arrests – two men in their 20s and another in his 50s - have been arrested on suspicion of affray and remain in custody for questioning. Investigations are ongoing.

Superintendent Cara Charlesworth, from GMP's Oldham division said: “Our number one priority, as always, is keeping the community in Oldham safe, and I believe this Section 60 authority is proportionate and necessary following a number of incidents overnight.

“This authority enables officers to utilise extra powers to stop-search individuals and hopefully ensure some potentially dangerous weapons that we have been aware of overnight, are taken off the streets.

“We have made arrests, seized vehicles that are believed to be involved in these incidents, CCTV enquires are ongoing and arrest attempts for outstanding suspects are being made.

“I would like to reassure the public that we are putting extra resources into the area to provide reassurance, which will continue into this evening and throughout the weekend.

“If you see any of our officers out on patrol, please speak to us, we are looking for any information that would assist us with our enquiries and your support is vital.

“If you have any information about the above incidents, please contact us on 0161 856 8994, 101, or via gmp.police.uk quoting log 330 of 04/07/2025."

Alternatively, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Always dial 999 in an emergency.

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