A cannabis farm that’s believed to be worth more than £1 million has been seized during early-morning raids this week.
After gathering intel on a number of properties in the Oldham area, police obtained warrants at two addresses in the Greater Manchester town this week, and executed raids that lead to nearly 800 cannabis plants being seized.
A whopping 772 cannabis plants were discovered and seized by officers who first raided an address on Collett Street in the Derker area yesterday (18 October), according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP), before the team conducted a second warrant on at an address on Quail Street earlier today.
At the first property, two men aged in their 30s were arrested on suspicion of cultivation of cannabis, GMP has confirmed, then, at the second property, one male was detained inside the house on suspicion of the cultivation of cannabis.
These latest seizures brings the total street value of cannabis farms seized by the Oldham team in the past four weeks to over £4 million.
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Police in Oldham have seized a cannabis farm with nearly 800 plants worth more than £1 million / Credit: GMP
“Our work in the past month alone is testament to how well our officers are doing at rooting out this issue,” Chief Superintendent Phil Hutchinson from GMP’s Oldham District explained as he spoke on the seizures week.
“This is not a victimless crime.
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“There is a web of organised criminality behind these recent seizures, but thanks to the community, we were able to conduct this warrant today, which led to a huge discovery.”
GMP continues to urge the local Greater Manchester community to report any information and concerns they may have in relation to cannabis cultivation.
Calling on the public for their help, Neighbourhood Sergeant Lucy Leicester added: “We will continue to act on your intelligence and the information members of the public share with us is vital in our teams taking actions such as this.
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“Information from the public plays an incredibly important role in these warrants time and time again, so please let us know if you have any concerns about drug activity in your local area.”
#ARRESTS | Chief Inspector Phil Hutchinson and his team in Oldham uncovered a cannabis farm believed to be worth more than £1million this morning.
Two men aged in their 30s were arrested on suspicion of cultivation of cannabis.
GMP has also shared some information on how to spot potential cannabis farms.
If you’re curious to know whether a property near you is being used to cultivate the drug, then look out for a powerful distinctive sweet, sickly aroma, frequent visitors throughout the day and night, blacked-out windows, chinks of bright light throughout the night, birds gathering on the roof, particularly in cold weather, noise from fans, large amounts of rubbish including compost bags, and the electricity metre being tampered with.
“Individually, these activities may seem commonplace,” Sergeant Leicester said, “however, together they may indicate something more suspicious.”
Featured Image – GMP
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Man pleads guilty to ‘preparing for acts of terrorism’ in relation to Manchester synagogue attack
Emily Sergeant
A man with links to the Manchester synagogue terrorist attacker has pleaded guilty to preparation for acts of terrorism.
Mohammad Asim Bashir, of Shaftesbury Road in Cheetham Hill, appeared at the Central Criminal Court last week (Friday 5 June 2026) and pleaded guilty to one count of preparation for acts of terrorism under the Terrorism Act 2006.
The prosecution will consider the basis of the guilty plea, and now a two-day sentencing hearing has been set for 22-23 July 2026 at Manchester Crown Court.
In case you need a reminder, the shocking knife and car attack took place on 2 October 2025 on Yom Kippur – the holiest day in the Jewish calendar – at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue.
During the incident, two men sadly lost their lives during the attack – Adrian Daulby, 53, who was shot dead by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) while trying to stop the attacker from entering the synagogue, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, a worshipper who also helped stop the attacker.
A man with links to the Manchester synagogue terrorist attacker has pleaded guilty to preparation for acts of terrorism / Credit: Google Maps | GMP
The attacker was named as 35-year-old Jihad al Shamie – a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent who lived in Prestwich – who at the time was on bail for an alleged rape, before being shot dead by police.
Following the terrorist attack, enquiries conducted by detectives identified Bashir as an associate of Jihad Al-Shamie, and established that the two of them had conducted ;hostile reconnaissance of a UK defence facility’ on 14 August 2025.
The pair were seen on CCTV prior to the trip discussing criteria for potential targets to attack.
They were then seen on ANPR cameras making the journey to the site – with Bashir acting as the driver for most of the journey.
He is due to be sentenced next month / Credit: GMP
Speaking following Bashir’s guilty plea, Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts – who holds operational responsibility for Counter Terrorism Policing North West – commented: “Our comprehensive enquiries led to the offending of Mohammed Bashir coming to light.
“Although not directly linked to the synagogue attack, the fact he conducted hostile reconnaissance alongside a man who would later commit a terrorist attack show the seriousness of his actions.
“We welcome today’s guilty plea and look ahead to the sentencing which is due to take place in July.
“This case will understandably prompt public commentary about the terrorist attack that took place last October. My thoughts today are with all those affected, particularly the loved ones of those whose lives were taken and those who were seriously injured.”
Featured Image – GMP
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Pat Regan at the Fairfield Social Club – a brilliantly unhinged evening of standup comedy
Clementine Hall
There’s a particular kind of chaos that only Pat Regan can deliver, and the recently re-recognised Fairfield Social Club got the full force of it last night.
Making his Manchester debut as part of the ‘A Lovely Time’ series at the equally as lovely Fairfield Social Club, the New York comic, writer, and podcast host arrived with the energy of someone who had already lived through three emotional breakdowns before breakfast and somehow still had the worst to come.
Known for his work on HBO’s Hacks and the cult-favourite podcast Seek Treatment with fellow comic Catherine Cohen, Regan’s stand-up feels less like your traditional comedy set and more like being trapped in the world’s funniest group chat.
The perfectly intimate room beneath Fairfield’s railway arches was packed with adoring fans who were immediately on side as Regan launched into stories about traumatic trips to Paris, Grindr dates, massage tables and having crushes at the gym.
The audience was in the palm of his slightly sweaty hands (don’t worry, he’ll be fine with me saying so), laughing at every awkward punchline and self-deprecating anecdote.
The material is nothing groundbreaking, but this is what makes it so deeply hilarious; never before has shopping for the perfect pair of jeans been so serious and unserious at the same time.
There was laughter rolling through the venue for virtually the entire set, and after an hour of never-ending quips and jokes, we were left wanting more.
And the best part is, it won’t be long until we get more from this place, and it’s no wonder they’re starting to get the hosting plaudits they deserve.
It’s safe to say Fairfield Social Club has become one of Manchester’s most exciting homes for alternative comedy, and this felt like exactly the sort of booking that justifies its growing reputation.
By the time Regan left the stage, the audience looked equal parts exhausted and delighted. An absolutely classy evening indeed.
Find out about what else is on at the Fairfield Social Club HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
19th October 2023 
