A string of violent attacks linked to rival organised crime groups (OCGs) has left the Lancashire town of Rochdale struggling with a wave of machete and acid attacks, exposing long-standing issues tied to gang-related drug trafficking and territorial disputes.

The severity of the violence was highlighted in a recent court case involving an attack on 27-year-old Abbas Mushtaq in May 2021. Two masked assailants broke into Mushtaq’s home in the Mellor Street area just north of Rochdale town centre and subjected him to a brutal assault with a sword and machete. Mushtaq’s mother, Zahida, intervened to protect her son, sustaining wrist injuries during the struggle. Mushtaq required ten days of hospital treatment for serious wounds, including tendon severing and deep cuts to his hands, face, and upper body. The attack was linked to ongoing tit-for-tat conflicts between OCGs.

The assailants involved in the assault on Mushtaq were convicted last week. Mohammed Hassan Alam, Asad Ali—who reportedly coordinated the attack—and Sonia Ali, who facilitated it, were sentenced at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court. Alam and Asad Ali were identified in court as members of an OCG. Earlier, Owais Ali received a six-year sentence for his role in the attack.

Mushtaq himself was not an innocent party. Five months after the incident, members of the Smiler OCG, with which he was affiliated, carried out a retaliatory attack on Alam. On October 5, 2021, Alam was ambushed while driving when his vehicle was rammed and flipped. An armed group assaulted him with machetes, axes, and even a chainsaw before spraying him with ammonia. Mushtaq was later jailed for 16 years on charges including conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm, violent disorder, and possession with intent to supply.

These violent confrontations reflect a broader pattern of gang-related crime in Rochdale, a town historically significant for its role in the Industrial Revolution and as the birthplace of the cooperative movement. Despite its heritage, Rochdale today faces significant socioeconomic challenges and stands among England’s most deprived areas.

Police efforts have focused on dismantling dominant gangs such as the Adam OCG, once considered untouchable. Since at least 2023, specialist units have made strides in curbing violence, which has seen a shift away from firearms toward edged weapons due to tough sentences and aggressive targeting of gun supply chains. Detective Inspector Sam Taylor of Rochdale CID noted that while firearms seizures continue, gangs increasingly rely on machetes for intimidation and violence.

One particularly harrowing case involved Cameron Brooksbank, a former British Army soldier and tree surgeon, who suffered near-fatal axe wounds in 2017 after intervening to protect an elderly woman from abuse. The attack was carried out by a large gang linked to the Adam OCG, including high-ranking members such as Habibur Rahman and Mohammed Awais Sajid, both later convicted and sentenced. Brooksbank’s life was profoundly affected by the assault, and he died six years later with a coroner ruling his death accidental.

Local residents describe life in affected areas as dominated by fear and intimidation. Community members report openly witnessed drug dealing and threats against those cooperating with law enforcement, fostering an environment in which many feel unsafe and reluctant to engage with authorities. In response, ‘bleed kits’ containing emergency first aid supplies have been installed in public spaces to address the immediate consequences of stabbing and machete attacks, given ambulance response times can exceed critical survival windows.

Despite these challenges, police maintain a vigilant stance. DI Taylor emphasised the ongoing need to monitor gang dynamics, recognizing that the removal of one group creates opportunities for others to emerge. “We can’t rest on our laurels,” he said, underscoring the commitment of dedicated officers to prevent further gang-related violence.

Rochdale’s crime problems reflect longstanding deep-rooted issues that continue to test law enforcement and community resilience, as the town seeks to reclaim its historical identity amid the pressures of modern gang conflicts.