‘Suspicious device’ leads to evacuation of Ashton Police base

Date published: 22 November 2018


Greater Manchester Police’s Serious and Organised Crime base in Ashton was evacuated amid ‘safety fears’.

Reports suggest a ‘suspicious package’ been found in the building off Alexandria House in Ashton have been confirmed by the force, causing the building to be cleared last night (Wednesday).

Nexus House is home to GMP’s Serious and Organised Crime division and also houses the force’s Operation Challenger, which is tasked with dismantling organised crime gangs across Greater Manchester.

Bomb disposal experts arrived at the scene yesterday evening to assess the ‘suspicious package’ and stayed until the early hours of this morning when it was confirmed the device was “possibly viable”.

It’s due to be destroyed via a controlled explosion nearby to Nexus House.

It is understood that the building has now returned to normality.


Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.