In a remarkable turnaround, the Derker area of Oldham, once plagued by a series of shootings and drug-related violence, is now seeing a glimmer of hope thanks to the efforts of Greater Manchester Police’s Operation Vulcan.
The transformation began in 2023 when 77-year-old resident Carol Knight experienced a terrifying incident, where her car was set on fire outside her home. “I was terrified, and I knew things had to change,” she recounted.
The catalyst for change came in the form of Operation Vulcan, launched by the police in response to a spate of five shootings between November 2024 and January 2025. Adopting a “clear, hold and build” strategy, the operation has helped “turn misery into hope,” according to Detective Chief Inspector Chris Julien.
Prior to the operation, the area had become a haven for criminal activity, with residents feeling “terrified” and “prisoners in their own homes,” unwilling to venture out after dark. The last of the five shootings involved a gunman forcing two people out of a taxi and opening fire, seriously injuring a man. The incident was believed to be the result of a turf war between rival drug gangs.
However, the tide has now turned. Over the past 10 months, Operation Vulcan has led to more than 200 arrests, the seizure of 200 vehicles, the recovery of four firearms, and the confiscation of thousands of pounds worth of drugs. The housing association, First Choice Homes Oldham, has also taken back possession of 18 properties where tenants were involved in criminal activities.
Resident Beverley Simms, 67, expressed hope for the future, saying, “Hopefully, things will be a lot better when these new houses are built, and you’ll probably feel safer walking the streets.” Indeed, work has begun to construct 132 new homes in Derker, replacing the “wasteland” that had been left behind after the demolition of homes as part of the previous government’s Housing Market Renewal Initiative.
While 90-year-old resident Keith Brown still remembers the “spell of these bikers selling drugs” when he didn’t feel safe at night, he is hopeful that the area will turn out right for the younger generation.
The police have reported a 25% reduction in violent crime and a 26% decrease in anti-social behaviour since the launch of Operation Vulcan. The operation is set to continue throughout the year, offering renewed hope for the people of Derker.