Crime

Man arrested in relation to series of ‘aggravated’ burglaries in Oldham following urgent police appeal

He has also been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 9th November 2026

A man has been arrested in relation to a series of ‘aggravated’ burglaries in Oldham following an urgent police appeal last week.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed that, between January and March of this year, there had been four linked incidents, as well as a further incident in October, where victims had been targeted in a similar way – with the suspect attempting to or gaining entry to their property, before demanding they hand over bank cards and pin codes.

And now, following a police appeal last week, the suspect – a man in his 30s – has been arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary, and he remains in custody for questioning.

Following the arrest of the man, who has not been named, police identified a potential further victim.

The incident involving this victim is believed to have occurred between Wednesday 4 November and Saturday 7 November at an address on Whitstable Close in the Chadderton area of Oldham, and during a search of the property, officers sadly found a deceased man in his 70s.

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His death is currently being treated as ‘suspicious’, and the same man in his 30s arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary has been further arrested on suspicion of murder.

The victim’s next-of-kin have been informed, and they are being supported by police.

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Following the arrests, Detective Superintendent Amber Waywell commented: “First and foremost, our thoughts are with the gentleman who has sadly died and with his family and loved ones at what will be an incredibly difficult and distressing time.

“This remains a complex and developing investigation, and we are working hard to establish the full circumstances surrounding his death.

“I would like to thank the outstanding work of our detectives, who have shown real determination and persistence throughout this investigation.

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“We are also extremely grateful to everyone who came forward following our media appeals.”

Featured Image – Wikipedia Commons

Crime

More arrests made in connection with ‘significant’ alleged financial irregularities at Greater Manchester uni

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Further arrests have been made in connection with ‘significant’ alleged financial irregularities at a university in Greater Manchester.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed that two people have been arrested as part of its ongoing investigation into alleged financial irregularities at the University of Greater Manchester – formerly the University of Bolton – between 2014 and 2025.

Two warrants were executed yesterday morning (4 November 2026) – one in Bolton, and another in South Yorkshire.

Subsequently a man in his 50s has been arrested on suspicion of witness intimidation, perverting the course of justice, and fraud by the abuse of position, while a man in his 60s has been arrested on suspicion of witness intimidation, perverting the course of justice, and fraud by false representation.

The arrests come, as mentioned, as part of an ongoing investigation.

GMP’s Major Incident Team opened a fraud and bribery investigation a year ago after it received allegations from The Mill, and a subsequent report from Price Waterhouse Cooper (PWC) commissioned by the university’s Fraud Response Panel.

Since then, detectives have been working closely with the Crown Prosecution (CPS)’s Serious Economic Crime team, and are said to have been making ‘painstaking’ enquiries to independently compile evidence that is ‘impartial’ and ‘robust’.

“We’re exploring evidence indicating over £1 million’s worth of fraudulent activity. As part of our enquiries, we’re probing around 60 transactions and investigating more than a million emails,” GMP said in a statement.

Detective Inspector Matthew Donnelly, from GMP’s Economic and Cyber Crime Unit, added: “This remains a complex and extensive investigation into allegations of fraud, bribery and financial misconduct at the University of Greater Manchester.

“The offences for which these individuals have been arrested on suspicion of are serious and include allegations of fraud, witness intimidation, perverting the course of justice and money laundering.

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“Any actions that seek to interfere with, influence or undermine the integrity of a police investigation will not be tolerated.”

He concluded: “I would urge anyone who has information which may assist our investigation to come forward and speak to us.”

Featured Image – UoGM (via Facebook)

Crime

Leigh drug dealer jailed after being ‘caught red-handed’ by police

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A drug dealer known around the Leigh area has been jailed last week after police caught him ‘red-handed’.

Dawid Bialek, of no fixed abode, has been jailed after pleading guilty to four counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs (heroin and crack cocaine), and handling stolen goods.

It comes after, on Monday 11 May 2026, officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) who were patrolling on a canal towpath, near Quayside in Leigh, spotted 30-year-old Bialek attempting to discard a package in the water.

The package was subsequently recovered, and according to GMP, was found to contain multiple wraps of suspected Class A drugs.

Further enquiries then led police to an address in Leigh, where additional evidence linked to drug dealing was recovered – including suspected drugs, scales, empty wraps, and mobile phones.

Bialek was later bailed as police conducted further enquiries, but while that work was continuing, on Friday 19 June, officers carrying out plain-clothes patrols in the town centre saw Bialek in an alley just off the canal tow path, handing out wraps of heroin and crack cocaine to others.

He was once again stopped, searched, and found to be in possession of drugs and cash.

This time he was charged and able to be remanded. He appeared at court over the summer and plead not guilty to the charges brought against him, but as the investigation continued, examination of seized mobile phones uncovered further evidence of drug dealing activity – including messages, videos and notes consistent with the supply of Class A drugs.

Due to the quantity of evidence gathered and submitted to the CPS, Bialek changed his plea to guilty and was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court last week.

He has been jailed for a total of four years and nine months.

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Following the sentencing, a spokesperson for GMP’s Leigh Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “The supply of Class A drugs causes significant harm within our communities and often exploits vulnerable people who are struggling with addiction.

“This result demonstrates our commitment to targeting those responsible for bringing drugs into Leigh and disrupting the criminality associated with them.”

Featured Image – GMP

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