Police have been granted dispersal powers in Oldham following a string of 'retaliation' incidents thought to be linked to the investigation into an assault on a teenager.
A 19-year-old male was seriously assaulted in an alleyway off Featherstall Road North on June 21 in an incident which saw him brutally beaten and stripped while filmed on camera. In the clip - which has been circulating online - blood can be seen pouring from the victim's face as he is pinned down and repeatedly hit and kicked whilst screaming on the ground.
Three 17-year-old males have been arrested in connection with the incident and have been bailed pending further enquiries. Officers said they were 'seeking a number of further individuals who have been involved’.
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Officers yesterday revealed they were currently investigating several incidents of disorder in Oldham, including an attack on a restaurant. Chief Superintendent Chris Bowen said a group armed with baseball bats or sticks smashed windows of the Westwood East restaurant at around 2am on Tuesday morning (July 5).
Chief Supt Bowen joined Sayyed Osman, Oldham Council's deputy chief executive, to appeal for the public to give police the time and space needed to conduct their investigation properly, adding: "Retaliation in any form is counterproductive."
In a further move, police have now been granted a section 60 dispersal order which gives officers increased powers to search anyone within a defined area. The order came into effect in Oldham yesterday (July 5).
Chief Supt Bowen said: “We are working closely with the local community and have increased patrols in the area, as well as having a team of detectives working hard to further identify those involved in the initial assault, as well as the subsequent disorder over the weekend.
“In addition to this, a Section 60 order has been granted, which will come into effect from this afternoon (5 July). Under Section 60, officers have increased powers to stop search anyone within a defined area and those found to be carrying dangerous instruments or offensive weapons will be prosecuted.
“I am aware that the events of the last few days will be causing concern and worry among the local community and I want to reassure people that we are doing all we can to prevent further disorder and bring those who have been involved to justice.
“I would also like to appeal to the community to refrain from speculating about the incidents on social media, as this could potentially jeopardise our investigation. We are currently following up on a number of lines of enquiry and what I can say at this stage is that the assault back in June is not being treated as a hate crime."
Anyone with information, as well as photos and videos, relating to the incidents are being asked to contact police directly. Information can be shared online or by calling 101 and quoting incident number 1708 of 3 July 2022.
Information can also be given anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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