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Royal Oldham Hospital staff member left with ‘life-changing injuries’ following attack

A 37-year-old man has been arrested.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 13th January 2025

A staff member at Royal Oldham Hospital has been left with ‘life-changing injuries’ following a serious attack over the weekend.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) we were called to Rochdale Road in Oldham to reports of a stabbing at around 11:30pm on Saturday 11 January, as it was believed that a member of the public attacked a member of staff at Royal Oldham Hospital.

Once officers arrived on the scene, they found that a woman in her 50s had suffered “serious injuries” during the attack, and she still remains in hospital for treatment.

Her injuries are believed to be “life-changing”, according to police.

Following the attack, a 37-year-old man was swiftly arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder, and he remains in police custody.

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With the investigation in the early stages, GMP says it is not currently looking for anyone else in connection with this incident, and officers “do not believe” there to be any kind of threat to the wider public.

“This is a serious incident which has left a woman in a critical condition,” explained Detective Sergeant Craig Roters, from GMP’s Oldham district said:

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“Our thoughts are with her family and colleagues, and we will continue to support them throughout this investigation.

“The local community can expect to see an increase in police presence whilst we carry out enquiries, but they are also there to offer reassurance and answer any questions you may have. We know that news of this nature will come as a shock, and if you have any concerns or anything you would like to share, please speak to them.”

Chief nursing officer at Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, Heather Caudle, also added following the incident: “We are incredibly shocked and saddened by the incident and our focus is on supporting the colleague involved and their family.

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“Our thoughts are also with colleagues and patients who were there at the time of the incident and for whom this has been distressing and frightening.

“We will continue to support Greater Manchester Police with their inquiries, and all services at The Royal Oldham Hospital remain open.”

Featured Image – Google Maps

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Strangeways declared ‘threat to national security’ following drone deliveries of drugs, weapons and more

Danny Jones Danny Jones Drones dropping weapons and drugs into Strangeways prison Manchester

A recent trend at HMP Manchester has been declared a “threat to national security” after it was learned that drones have been regularly delivering drugs, weapons and more into the facility formerly known as Strangeways along with other UK prisons.

It’s said there were roughly 220 drone sightings over the past year or so – more than any other prison in the country – and issues around contraband, violence, hygiene and more have been on the increase ever since. HMP Long Lartin in Worcestershire was found to be similarly neglected.

A rife drug and rat problem was found following a surprise autumn inspection between September and October; it is now evident that the chronic issues have been exacerbated by a major security breach as His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons, Charlie Taylor, says police have “ceded airspace” over facilities.

The most recent report on conditions at HMP Manchester and Long Lartin was published on Tuesday, 14 January and, in short, it insists that huge investment is needed in order to curb the crisis.

Credit: HM Inspectorate of Prisons

Drones, corruption and a lack of investment have seen Strangeways maintain its reputation

A top-line assessment of Strangeways found that many of the sticking points came down not only to the advent of drones delivering items such as phones, drugs, weapons and other “large payloads” weighing up to as much as 7kg, but merely “poor physical security” and concerns regarding corruption.

Most notably, high-risk prisoners who Taylor described as “extremely dangerous” have been burning holes in cell windows in order to pick up drone deliveries. The ease with which these exchanges are able to take place comes down to what he simply calls “slow action”.

There has been a damning failure to spot, repair and/or replace these panels, as well as the torn netting over exercise yards, meaning that drone operators have an easier task when dropping their packages into the 158-year-old penitentiary.

According to the report, “a staggering 39% of prisoners had tested positive in mandatory drug tests at Manchester” (50% at Long Lartin) and a simple survey found that drugs and alcohol were “easy” to acquire inside Strangeways.

In addition to the rodent infestation, general hygiene looks to have plummeted to new lows in recent times too, with “widespread dirt, damp and litter” as well as vandalism in several areas. Inmates have also been tearing up mattresses to insulate windows from the cold.

Numbers relating to assault, self-harm, suicide and more have also risen since the last major inspection in 2021. By all accounts, it remains one of Britain’s most dangerous prisons for a whole host of reasons.

drones dropping weapons and drugs into hmp manchester strangeways
rats in strangeways
Credit: HMIP

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‘Highly alarming’ stuff

There has also been a significant drop-off when it comes to socialisation and rehabilitation efforts, as the work day, learning and general activities look to have dwindled too.

Taylor signed off by writing: “The safety of staff, prisoners and ultimately that of the public, is seriously compromised by the failure to tackle what has become a threat to national security.

“The prison service, the police and other security services must urgently confront organised gang activity and reduce the supply of drugs and other illicit items which so clearly undermine every aspect of prison life.” To put it simply, he says the situation is “highly alarming.”

It may not make for pleasant reading, but if you want a clearer picture of the current conditions inside Strangeways prison or to learn more about the growing advent of smuggling drones, you can read the extensive 67-page report in full HERE.

hmp manchester disrepair
Broken cell window
conditions of hmp manchester
Damage and dirt
hygiene hmp manchester
The state of a kitchenette (Credit: HMIP)

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Robert Wade (via Flickr)/HMIP (HM Inspectorate of Prisons)

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Murder investigation launched after man in his 50s found dead in Little Hulton

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A murder investigation has been launched after the body of a man in his 50s was found in Little Hulton this past weekend.

Shortly before 7:30am on Sunday 12 January, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) was called to an address on Hope Hey Lane, in the Little Hulton area of Salford, following reports of concern for the welfare of a man.

Once emergency services arrived on the scene, the body of a man in his 50s was sadly found dead.

According to GMP, following a post mortem taking place, officers believe the man’s injuries are “consistent with an assault”, and because of this, detectives have subsequently launched a murder investigation.

With the investigation ongoing, a woman in her 40s has already been arrested on suspicion of murder, and she remains in police custody for questioning.

Addressing the incident and speaking on the murder investigation as it progresses, Detective Chief Inspector Neil Higginson, from GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: “Sadly, following the discovery of a body at a property in Little Hulton, we have now launched a murder investigation, and we have a team of detectives working around the clock to understand the circumstances.

“We do not believe there to be a threat to the wider public, but you will likely see an increased presence of police in your area whilst we conduct further enquiries.

Hope Hey Lane in Little Hulton, where the incident happened / Credit: Google Maps

“If you have any information which may assist our investigation, or any dashcam, CCTV, or doorbell footage from the area in the lats 24 hours, then please get in touch with us. No matter how small the information may seem, it could be crucial to our investigation.”

Can you help? Any information can be shared by calling police on 101 quoting log 650 of 12/01/25, or using the LiveChat function online at www.gmp.police.uk.

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Alternatively, information can be shared anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 

Featured Image – GMP

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