Residents in Oldham have been told to stay vigilant after Greater Manchester Police warned of a rising trend of burglaries targeting family gold. The force has issued the warning following a rise in burglaries across Oldham, Rochdale and Bury, with family gold believed to be the primary target.

Detective Chief Inspector Roger Smethurst, of Greater Manchester Police's Serious Crime Division, said: "I would like to remind the public to stay vigilant as the darker nights draw in and ensure their property is secure." He added: "Anyone with expensive jewellery in their homes should ensure it is safely locked away, out of sight, purchasing a good quality safe which complies with insurance rating standards."

How the burglars are getting in

Police say offenders are typically gaining entry through the rear of properties, using methods such as lock snap tampering and smash entry, alongside insecure entry to properties. Vehicles used in the crimes are believed to be parked on nearby streets while the offences take place.

The incidents are increasingly taking place during weekends, and predominantly during late afternoon and nighttime periods, when homes are more likely to be empty or in darkness. The pattern has prompted the force to urge householders to check locks, secure rear doors and windows, and to keep valuable jewellery out of view.

Police advice for households

Officers are asking residents to make sure their homes are properly secured before going out, particularly as the evenings grow darker. Jewellery should be locked away in a good quality safe that meets insurance rating standards, rather than left in bedrooms or drawers where burglars look first.

Neighbours are also being asked to look out for one another and to report anything suspicious, such as unfamiliar vehicles parked nearby or people loitering around homes in the late afternoon and evening. Anyone who notices suspicious activity should contact police on 101, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Solving burglaries

Data shows that Greater Manchester Police has been named the top force in the country for solving residential burglaries over the past year, with a 14.3 per cent solve rate compared with 9.5 per cent the previous year. In August 2026 alone, the solve rate for residential burglaries reached 15.9 per cent, up from 9.8 per cent in August 2025.

The improvement follows Operation Castle, the force's dedicated neighbourhood operation to tackle residential burglaries, which launched in July 2021. Before the operation, Greater Manchester was recording around 1,500 residential burglaries a month. That figure has since fallen to around 650 a month, with 20 fewer burglary victims each day across the region since May 2021.

In the year up to August 2026, 8,261 residential burglaries were recorded, down from 15,519 in May 2021. Oldham has seen a 38 per cent fall over the same period, with Stockport down 43 per cent and Bolton down 36 per cent. In September, five members of an organised crime group were sentenced for a combined total of more than 30 years for their roles in a burglary conspiracy across Greater Manchester that saw more than 500,000 pounds worth of property stolen, including gold jewellery.

What to do if you see something

Police say the public can help by reporting anything unusual straight away. Anyone with information, or who notices suspicious activity, can contact police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. More advice on crime reduction can be found on the Greater Manchester Police website.