Police have today executed a number of warrants as part of an investigation into a disturbance in Oldham.

This morning (Wednesday 27 November 2019) officers visited 14 properties across Oldham and Crumpsall as well as a property in West Yorkshire.

Warrants were executed at Oldham and Crumpsall.

13 men aged between 15 and 40 years of age were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder.

The action comes as part of Operation Woodville – a long-running investigation into serious public disorder occurring on Saturday 18 May 2019 in the Limeside area of Oldham.

As part of ongoing enquiries, police have released the images of 26 people that they want to speak to.

Chief Superintendent Neil Evans of GMP’s Territorial Commander with responsibility for Oldham said: “As the scale of this morning’s operation demonstrates, we continue to treat May’s disturbance with the upmost seriousness.

“We have been in liaison with the Crown Prosecution Service since the early stages of the investigation and a team of detectives has been working to identify those whose criminal behaviour resulted in the ugly scenes witnessed.

“Investigators have been working alongside key local partners as part of our extensive enquiries. Specialist detectives from our Major Investigations Team as well as local officers have been involved in hours of work assessing evidence and information received from the public.

“While we have made a number of arrests, our enquiries remain very much ongoing.

“In conjunction with this morning’s positive action, we have released a number of images of people who we want to speak to concerning their actions on 18 May 2019.

“As we have previously said, we understand and respect the right to peaceful protest and counter-protest. However we will not tolerate it when this crosses into criminal behaviour.

“Accordingly, we can and will respond when that line is crossed.

“It remains a line of enquiry that a number of those who were involved with the disorder had travelled to Oldham from outside Greater Manchester.

“As such, we are continuing to liaise with our partners in neighbouring forces.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank those who have already been in touch with officers.

“We must continue to work together as a community and support the justice process so that criminal behaviour is appropriately and proportionately challenged.”

Information can be left with police on 0161 856 6551 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

View gallery of the raids here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/gmpolice1/albums/72157711960256041