Two suspects arrested in dawn raids as cops dig deeper into historic grooming abuse in Oldham
Oldham, Greater Manchester – Police in Greater Manchester have swooped on two men as part of a widening probe into the historic grooming and rape of vulnerable young girls.
In the early hours of Thursday morning, specialist officers carried out dramatic dawn raids on properties in Oldham, arresting two men aged 38 and 40. Both were detained on suspicion of raping a child, as detectives from Operation Sherwood continue to piece together the horrors inflicted between 2011 and 2014.
The arrests bring the total number of suspects held to 12 in just three months, as Greater Manchester Police intensify efforts to root out the gang responsible for exploiting girls—some as young as 11.
The latest breakthrough came after a potential survivor came forward to bravely support the investigation, providing crucial information that led officers to act.
The crackdown, described as one of the force’s most significant grooming gang operations, has sparked outrage in the local community and beyond, with calls growing for justice to finally be served for the victims whose childhoods were stolen.
Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker issued a public statement following the latest arrests:
Embed from Getty Images“We are working closely with the victims and survivors at the heart of these investigations. Their courage is extraordinary, and our focus remains firmly on protecting children and pursuing justice—no matter how long ago the abuse occurred.”
Operation Sherwood is Greater Manchester Police’s major operation aimed at uncovering the network of abusers who preyed on young girls across Oldham over several years. The allegations centre on a catalogue of sexual exploitation, including rape, grooming, and coercion—often committed under the radar while victims were too terrified or ashamed to speak.
But as more survivors find the strength to tell their stories, investigators say the wall of silence is beginning to crack.
The police are urging others who may have suffered abuse at the hands of the same gang—or others operating in the area—to come forward. They emphasise that even historic cases will be investigated with urgency and compassion.
Many in Oldham are still reeling from the long-hidden scale of the abuse, with community leaders demanding accountability and long-term support for survivors. Local MP Debbie Abrahams has called for greater transparency around historical failings and pledged her full backing to victims seeking justice.
Social services, too, are under renewed scrutiny. Critics have asked how such widespread abuse was allowed to continue unchecked for so long and whether authorities missed early warning signs.
Meanwhile, officers say there is “significant momentum” behind the investigation, with fresh leads and new victims being identified.
“We expect more arrests,” said a source close to the investigation. “We won’t stop until every survivor gets their day in court—and every offender is brought to justice.”
The arrests mark another chapter in the North’s painful reckoning with the grooming scandals that have rocked towns like Rochdale, Rotherham and Telford. In Oldham, the scars run deep, but campaigners hope that with every new development, healing and justice move one step closer.
As Operation Sherwood intensifies, the question remains: how many more predators are still out there? And how many more victims remain unheard?
