Police warning about bogus rapist letter

Police are warning residents to disregard a letter circulating about a possible rapist living in the area as a hoax.

On 11 February 2014, police were informed that numerous letters had been left on the car windscreens of residents living in the Milnrow Road area of Shaw, which borders Milnrow in Rochdale.

The letters claimed there had been two rapes in the area and that the author knew the culprit.

However, numerous police checks have now revealed no such attacks have taken place in the Milnrow Road area, nor in Milnrow itself, and officers have also established the detail contained within the letter about women walking home late at night is also untrue.

Police are now reassuring residents there is no need to be alarmed and that the letter is bogus.

Detective Constable Tony Anwas said: "There has understandably been a lot of anxiety and rumour as a result of these malicious letters being left on people’s car windscreens.

"Rumours spread in such a small area and can quickly become ‘fact’ so I want to reassure residents that we have investigated this matter thoroughly and no such rapes or sexual attacks have taken place.

"It is unclear why the author has gone to such trouble to make these accusations, but they are totally false and there is no need for residents to be concerned or worried.

"Police in Oldham take every report of rape or sexual assault very seriously and all reports are investigated. Our number one priority is to protect the people living and working in our communities and where evidence of any criminality is found, be it sexual or otherwise, we will take action.

"However, we also need to protect our communities from unnecessary fear from malicious rumours which is exactly what this letter is doing. So, I want to again be clear no such offences have taken place."

Anyone who does have concerns can call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.