Wanted Rochdale CSE suspect detained at Manchester Airport

Rochdale Police Station

Police have arrested a wanted man at Manchester Airport after he was previously charged as part of an investigation into non-recent child sexual exploitation (CSE) in Rochdale.

Tahir Rashid (53) appeared at Manchester Magistrates’ Court yesterday (4 April) after being detained by officers at the arrival gate at Manchester Airport in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

In April 2023 GMP's dedicated CSE Major Investigation Team charged him with 13 offences – including sexual activity with a child and rape – but he did not appear to formally receive the charges and has since been declared as wanted.

Now he has become the 29th man to have a court date set as part of the wide-ranging investigation into alleged offending in Rochdale between 2000 and 2008 – codenamed Operation Lytton.

Mr Rashid, of Rochdale, has been remanded in custody ahead of an appearance at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on Thursday 9 May where he will face the following charges:

• Six counts of rape
• Six counts of sexual activity with a child
• One count of sexual assault

GMP has said that all 29 suspects charged as part of Operation Lytton are accounted for and have an upcoming court date, with trials due to begin in 2025. The force continues to update and support both victims throughout this process.

Detective Chief Inspector Guy Laycock, senior investigating officer for Operation Lytton, said: “Ever since the start of this investigation in 2016, we have been totally committed to ensuring the best possible outcomes for the survivors who have long awaited justice.

“Our investigation – like all of our wide-ranging and complex cases in CSE Major Investigation Team – has worked diligently and professionally to ensure every suspect is investigated and brought to court to be tried for these offences. This significant work will continue ahead of the trials for this case in 2025.”