Two held after mass brawl outside pub

A street brawl involving around 50 people broke out in Chadderton on Saturday.

Police moved quickly to break up the large-scale disturbance, with groups of youths clashing outside the Hare and Hounds pub in Block Lane.

Yesterday the area remained cordoned off and police maintained a presence as daylight revealed the pub’s smashed windows.

Reports of trouble were received around 11.55pm, prompting divisional and tactical officers to attend the scene to quell the trouble.

Parked cars were damaged during the clash and two people reported being assaulted.

Officers managed to disperse the groups and arrest two people in connection with the disorder, one on suspicion of affray and the other on an alleged breach of the peace. No one was seriously injured in the brawl.

Chief Insp Rob Tinsley, based at Oldham, said: “I fully understand that members of the community in Chadderton will be concerned that something like this can happen where they live. However, we have demonstrated that we will not tolerate wanton violence like this and will do our utmost to bring to justice those who took part in the disturbance.

“I want to reassure the community that we have also launched a full CID investigation which will look into the circumstances leading up to this incident and will seek to identify possible offenders.

“Once we were told about the disorder we sent both local officers and tactical-aid unit officers to quell the trouble as quickly as possible.

“They rapidly dispersed the groups and restored the peace, also making two quick arrests.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Oldham CID on 0161-856-8965 or independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555 111.