Second arrest after Oldham Council leader's car set on fire

It happened in the early hours of Tuesday morning

Author: Luke WilsonPublished 16th Jul 2021

A second man has been arrested after the leader of Oldham Council had her car set on fire.

Arooj Shah, who is the first Muslim woman to take charge of a council in the north of England, has been supported by MPs and local politicians since the attack.

Police were called to the Glodwick area of the town just before 1.30am on Tuesday after reports of a vehicle on fire.

Emergency services arrived and firefighters put out the blaze.

No-one was injured.

On Friday, Greater Manchester Police said a 22-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life, and remains in custody for questioning.

A 23-year-old man earlier held over the same allegations has been released on bail.

Detective Chief Inspector Wesley Knights of GMP's Oldham division said:

"This second arrest hopefully sends a message that we will not rest until the circumstances around this incident are fully understood, and we have found and brought to justice those responsible for this reckless act.

"Our investigation remains very much ongoing, and we are pursuing a number of lines of inquiry.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the community for their co-operation so far, and would like to appeal to anyone who may have witnessed anything, or have any information surrounding this fire to please contact police as soon as possible.''

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