Retired social worker arrested in child abuse probe

A retired social worker has been arrested as part of an investigation into historical cases of child abuse in the south Manchester area.

The 77-year-old was held on suspicion of indecent assault after detectives searched a home in Chadderton, Oldham on Thursday.

He had worked for Manchester City Council at the time of the alleged offence in 1994, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said.

Det Ch Insp Zaheer Ali said officers "will not relent until we have explored all available lines of enquiry".

The arrest in Oldham is the 70th by detectives working as part of Operation Green Jacket, an investigation launched in 2019 to track down those suspected of non-recent child sexual exploitation.

A spokesperson for the force said the operation was focused on identifying offending against vulnerable young people in "the south Manchester area in the early 2000s".

The first trial, involving a 44-year-old man arrested as part of the investigation and charged with child sex offences, is set to take place next month, the spokesperson added.

Det Ch Insp Ali said: "Our work on this investigation continues and will not relent until we have explored all available lines of enquiry to bring suspects to court. and to bring justice for survivors."

Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, councillor Garry Bridges, said the authority was working with police to ensure "no stone is left unturned" in seeking justice for victims.

He said this applied "whenever and however alleged offences come to light and whenever they relate to".

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