Man Charged Over Chadderton Brothel After Police Raid, Manchester 2026

Key Points

• Scott Beard, 55, from Berry Brow, Manchester, faces charges related to operating a brothel for the purposes of prostitution.
• The case against Mr Beard arose after a raid by Greater Manchester Police at a premises on Broadway Parkgate in Chadderton.
• It is understood that the property, nicknamed ‘Silks’, was situated in a flat above a beauty salon located on Broadway.
• Mr Beard has been arrested for suspicion of controlling prostitution for gain and has since been charged.
• Mr Beard has been granted bail pending his appearance before Tameside Magistrates’ Court on December 18.
• A woman aged in her forties, who was also in the property at the time of the raid, was arrested on suspicion of immigration offences and the possession of Class A drugs.
• Greater Manchester Police have yet to issue any further statement regarding the woman’s case.
• Money and timesheets were among the items taken from the premises following the raid.
• A closure notice has been served in relation to the property and a full closure order will be sought by the court on Friday.

Manchester Crime (Manchester Mirror) October 15, 2026 — A 55-year-old Manchester man has been charged with keeping a brothel used for prostitution after Greater Manchester Police carried out a raid at a suspected brothel in Chadderton.

As reported by The Oldham Times, Scott Beard, of Berry Brow, Manchester, has been charged with keeping a brothel used for prostitution. The charge followed a warrant executed by the Oldham Neighbourhood Team at a property on Broadway Parkgate.

Mr Beard has been released on bail and is scheduled to appear at Tameside Magistrates’ Court on December 18.

The allegation has not been tested in court, and the report does not indicate that Mr Beard has entered a plea. He is therefore presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in legal proceedings.

Why Did Police Raid the Chadderton Property?

Police entered the suspected brothel, known as Silks, during a dawn operation. According to The Oldham Times, the raid took place after what Greater Manchester Police described as “years” of investigation.

In a separate report published by The Oldham Times, the premises was described as a flat above a beauty salon on Broadway. The report said around a dozen officers took part, with Tactical Aid Units also supporting the operation.

Officers seized money, timesheets and other items from the premises. The Oldham Times reported that police described these items as evidence suggesting prostitution had taken place.

The force said the warrant was supported by intelligence gathered over several years, including complaints and concerns from the local community. As reported by The Oldham Times, police said data from the owner’s phone, seized during a previous unrelated arrest, was also a key factor in securing the warrant.

Who Else Was Arrested During the Raid?

A woman in her forties was present at the property during the raid. The Oldham Times reported that safeguarding officers spoke with her before she was taken into custody.

She was later arrested on suspicion of immigration-related offences and possession of Class A drugs.

Greater Manchester Police has not provided an update regarding the woman, according to The Oldham Times.

Mr Beard was understood to have arrived at the property while the raid was under way. He was arrested on suspicion of controlling prostitution for gain before subsequently being charged with keeping a brothel used for prostitution.

What Action Has Been Taken Against Silks?

A closure notice has been issued for the Broadway Parkgate premises. The Oldham Times reported that a full closure order will be decided by the court on Friday.

Sergeant Tom Layton said the concerns surrounding the premises had been raised by local residents and businesses for a considerable period. As reported by The Oldham Times, he said: “The concerns surrounding this premises have been raised by local residents and businesses for a considerable period of time, and today’s action is the result of years of intelligence gathering and partnership working.”

He added that the closure notice had enabled police to disrupt activity at the premises while legal proceedings continued. “By securing a closure notice, we have been able to immediately disrupt the activities taking place at the premises and prevent further harm, nuisance and criminality while legal proceedings continue,” he said, according to The Oldham Times.

Sergeant Layton also said police had listened to community concerns and taken “robust action” to address them.

What Did Police Say About Exploitation?

Neighbourhood Inspector Amie Whitehead said controlling prostitution for gain was a serious offence and was often linked to the exploitation of vulnerable people. As reported by The Oldham Times, she said: “Controlling prostitution for gain is a serious offence and is often linked to the exploitation of vulnerable people.”

Inspector Whitehead said the force’s priority was to identify and safeguard people who may be vulnerable while pursuing those suspected of criminal offences.

She said intelligence from residents and businesses had been instrumental in building the wider picture that enabled officers to act.

“Intelligence provided by residents and businesses was instrumental in building the wider picture that enabled officers to take this action,”

she said, according to The Oldham Times.

Inspector Whitehead urged anyone with concerns about similar activity, or anyone who believed a person may be exploited, to report it to police. She said every piece of information helped officers protect vulnerable people and bring offenders to justice.

Is This Part of a Wider Pattern in Oldham?

The Oldham Times reported that the Chadderton raid was the latest in a series of recent suspected brothel raids in the Oldham borough.

On July 27, two people were arrested on suspicion of controlling prostitution for gain and a closure notice was issued for a property on Balfour Street. The following day, July 28, another closure notice was issued for a property on Miriam Street in Failsworth, along with the arrest of two women.

The reports do not state that these earlier cases are connected to the Broadway Parkgate investigation.

Background of the Development

The development centres on a police operation at a property on Broadway Parkgate in Chadderton, where officers executed a warrant at a suspected brothel known as Silks. Greater Manchester Police said the investigation had been built over several years through intelligence gathering, partnership working and concerns raised by residents and businesses.

The raid led to the arrest of a man later identified in reports as Scott Beard and a woman in her forties. Officers seized money, timesheets and other items, while a closure notice was issued to prevent activity at the premises while the legal process continues.

The case is due to proceed through the courts, with Mr Beard listed to appear at Tameside Magistrates’ Court on December 18. A separate court decision on a full closure order for the property is expected on Friday.

How Could This Affect Chadderton Residents and Businesses?

For Chadderton residents, the closure notice may reduce concerns about nuisance, anti-social behaviour or activity linked to the premises while the case is ongoing. Police said the action was intended to prevent further harm, nuisance and criminality at the location.

For nearby businesses, the case may reinforce the importance of reporting persistent concerns to police. Inspector Whitehead said information provided by residents and businesses helped officers build the wider picture needed to take action.

For vulnerable people in the area, police have emphasised safeguarding and encouraged anyone who believes someone is being exploited, or who has been a victim of crime linked to prostitution or exploitation, to come forward.

The outcome of the criminal case and the closure-order hearing will determine the longer-term position for the premises. Until then, the reported police action is likely to remain focused on disrupting activity at the site, protecting potentially vulnerable people and continuing the investigation.