Two arrested following reports of malicious communications

Two men have been arrested as part Operation Octant, a malicious communications investigation.

On Tuesday (11 July 2022), and yesterday (12 July 2022), officers arrested a 65-year-old man from Surrey and a 37-year-old man from Kent on suspicion of malicious communications.

The arrests, GMP officers alongside Surrey Police and Kent Police, form part of the on-going investigation into communications sent to a woman in Tameside. They have both been released under investigation pending further enquiries.

These arrests relates to an email sent on 2 May 2022 with eight arrests in total made as part of the investigation that have so far led to three convictions.

Detective Sergeant Christopher Dean, of Tameside district CID, said: “GMP won’t tolerate abuse and that includes online abuse in its many forms – text, email or social media – and we will always investigate thoroughly to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“If anyone has been the victim of abuse – whether physical or online – then they should call police and one of our specially-trained officers will be on hand.”

Anyone with information about similar incidents should contact police on 0161 856 9262 via 101 or our LiveChat function at www.gmp.police.uk. Alternatively details can be passed via the anonymous charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

If you have been a victim of hate, don't suffer in silence. Visit gmvictims.org.uk to access victim support and information. You can report hate crime online, via www.gmp.police.uk or by calling 101.