Crime

Woman arrested on suspicion of arson over moorland fire near Dovestone Reservoir

She remains in custody for questioning.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 14th July 2026

A woman has been arrested on suspicion of arson as part of the ongoing investigation into a large moorland fire near Dovestone Reservoir.

After the blaze broke out on Saturday evening at the popular beauty spot in Oldham, prompting a major multi-agency response that has now entered its third day, fire crews from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) have been working around the clock in challenging conditions to contain the fire and prevent further spread across the moorland.

Specialist wildfire resources, command support units, drone technology, and partner agencies have also been deployed as operations continue across multiple sectors of the incident.

To make matters worse, ‘strong’ winds yesterday carried smoke across parts of Greater Manchester – with reports of haze and the smell of burning being received from areas well beyond the immediate vicinity of the fire.

Residents affected by smoke are advised to keep windows and doors closed where possible.

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GMFRS say firefighters ‘remain focused’ on limiting the spread of the blaze while protecting the surrounding landscape and supporting ongoing operations in ‘difficult’ terrain.

As efforts to extinguish the fire continue, Greater Manchester Police’s (GMP) Neighbourhood Policing Team has confirmed that officers arrested a 20-year-old woman yesterday afternoon (13 July) on suspicion of arson, and she remains in custody for questioning.

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Detective Inspector Andrew Day, of Oldham’s CID, added in a statement: “We are aware of social media posts circulating regarding this incident and would like to stress that this is a live police investigation.

“We would encourage people stop speculating regarding this and if you do have information, please report it to ourselves.”

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Road closures remain in place at Holmfirth Road and Bank Lane with no access to Dovestone Reservoir.

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“We ask that members of the public avoid the affected areas ensuring emergency services have the space to carry out their work safely and effectively,” GMP concluded in a statement.

Featured Image – GMFRS

Crime

Andy Burnham ‘deeply grateful’ as 322 Labour MPs back him to become Prime Minister

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Andy Burnham says that he is ‘deeply grateful’ after 322 Labour MPs have backed him to become the next Prime Minister.

Need bringing up to speed first? Let’s get to it. After it was announced last month that Andy Burnham had clinched the victory in the crucial Makerfield by-election, winning 24,927 votes (54.8% vote share) and a majority of 9,231, he then went onto announce his intention to run for Labour Party leader, and therefore Prime Minister, after Keir Starmer confirmed he would be stepping down.

Last week, Burnham delivered his first speech as part of his ongoing campaign, addressing how he plans to take the country in a ‘new direction’.

He declared that he wants to bring the ‘Greater Manchester way’ to Westminster.

In a video posted to social media yesterday morning, on the first day of the leadership contest process, Burnham confirmed that he had formally nominated himself to become leader of the Labour Party.

Since then, it has been confirmed that Burnham has secured 322 nominations from Labour MPs to take on the role, meaning he is just one nomination short of securing enough so that no other candidate could secure the 81 backers that are necessary for someone to proceed to the next stage of the contest.

At this time, no other MP has been nominated.

Burnham says he is ‘deeply grateful’ to the MPs who have put their trust in him to become the next Labour leader.

In a statement on X yesterday, Burnham wrote: “As the first day of nominations draws to a close, I am deeply grateful to the 322 Labour MPs who have put their trust in me and nominated me for Leader of the Labour Party.

“Their support comes from across the PLP and reflects a shared belief that Britain needs a new approach to politics. That is the circuit breaker I am offering – power out of Westminster, an economy rewired for ordinary people, and good growth in every postcode.

“I want to empower MPs to bring the experiences of their constituents into the heart of government, and harness the full breadth of our Labour movement, drawing on all its traditions and beliefs in pursuit of a common purpose.

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“I want to thank every colleague who has nominated me for their commitment to that vision.”

Nominations will end next Wednesday, after which Burnham will need the backing of three Labour affiliates, including at least two trade unions, and then if he crosses that threshold, he is then expected to become Labour leader next Friday, and become Prime Minister the following Monday.

Featured Image – TfGM

Crime

Radcliffe man, 76, jailed after sexually abusing young teenage girls more than 40 years ago

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A man who sexually abused two teenage girls more than 40 years ago has been put behind bars.

After two brave women came forward and disclosed to Greater Manchester Police (GMP) the abuse they endured more than four decades ago, Kenneth Goodman, of Greendale Drive in Radcliffe, was found guilty of four counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14 years, and three counts of gross indecency with a girl also under the age of 14.

Both victims knew Goodman in a ‘professional capacity’, police explained, and were in their early teenage years at the time of the abuse.

The first survivor approached GMP in 2018 to report the abuse Goodman subjected her to, and then this subsequent investigation then led officers to identifying a second survivor who confirmed she had been in a sexual relationship with Goodman as a teenager.

The first woman was subjected to abuse on numerous occasions when she was around Goodman – with him making inappropriate comments to her and coercing her into sexual activity when they were alone together.

The second woman was groomed over a period of around three years, with Goodman initially manipulating her at the age of 12 into being in a relationship with him and engaging in sexual activity.

Goodman told the victim that as she had turned 13, they could ‘go further with their intimacy’, before the abuse continued until around the time the victim was 15.

Following his arrest in 2019, Goodman denied the offences, but a jury found him guilty at a trial in March earlier this year.

He will serve six years in prison and has been placed on the sex offender’s register for life.

Speaking following the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Jonathan McGregor, from GMP’s Serious Crime Division, said: “This has been an ongoing investigation and the victims have shown incredible strength and patience throughout the process.

“I would firstly like to express my gratitude to them, as their support during this investigation has led to the conviction and sentencing of Goodman.

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“This was an awful case about abuse of power. Goodman took advantage of these women from such a young age, and they have carried this with them since.

“I hope this sentence can now provide them with a sense of comfort and reassurance that no matter how long it has been, we will always take reports of this nature seriously, and we will do everything we can to ensure perpetrators see justice.”

Featured Image – GMP

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