Police in Oldham seek two men wanted on recall to prison 2026

Key Points

• Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have made public appeals to trace two men who are wanted for their return to custody with connections to Oldham.
• Dylan Loadsby, 25 years old, date of birth 18 March 2001, is wanted by GMP Oldham and has links with Oldham and Rochdale.
• Luke Murray, 25 years old, is also wanted for his return to custody and has connections with Oldham, Gorton, and Blackpool.
• Special numbers for contacting police have been shared in both the cases and have been requested to report urgent information by calling those numbers.
• Information can also be reported anonymously through charity organization Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.
• Appeals were made through social media and news channels at the start of September 2026.

Oldham Police (Manchester Mirror) September 2026 — Greater Manchester Police have launched parallel public appeals to trace two 25-year-old men wanted on recall to prison, with both individuals said to have connections to Oldham and surrounding areas. The force has asked residents across Oldham, Rochdale, Gorton and Blackpool to come forward with any information that could help officers locate Dylan Loadsby and Luke Murray, stressing that tips can be given anonymously.

What are police appealing for in Oldham this week?

Police in Oldham are appealing for help locating two men wanted on recall to prison, with separate notices issued for Dylan Loadsby and Luke Murray in the first week of September 2026. According to posts shared by GMP Oldham on Facebook and reported by The Oldham Times, Loadsby, born 18 March 2001, is wanted on recall and has links to Oldham and Rochdale. In a separate notice covered by The Oldham Times and the Oldham Reporter, officers said Murray, also 25, has links to Oldham, Gorton and Blackpool and is likewise wanted on recall to prison.

As reported by staff at The Oldham Times, GMP Oldham wrote in a social media post: “#WANTED | Can you help us locate Dylan Loasby (18/03/2001), who is wanted on recall to prison? He had links to the #Oldham and #Rochdale areas of Greater Manchester.” The force added that anyone with information should call 0161 856 8982 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

For the Murray appeal, the Oldham Reporter’s Usma Raja wrote that police are asking the public to help trace Murray and provided the contact number 0161 856 4228 for information, alongside the Crimestoppers line. The Oldham Times similarly reported that Murray is wanted on recall to prison and urged anyone with knowledge of his whereabouts to get in touch.

Who are the men police want to trace?

Dylan Loadsby, 25, is described by GMP Oldham as having links to Oldham and Rochdale, with his date of birth given as 18 March 2001. The force has not released further biographical details in the public notice but has emphasised the urgency of locating him in connection with a recall to prison.

Luke Murray, also 25, is said by police to have links to Oldham, Gorton and Blackpool. The notices do not elaborate on the circumstances leading to the recall but classify him as wanted in connection with a prison recall, prompting the force to seek public assistance.

How can the public help police in Oldham?

Police have set out clear routes for the public to provide information. For the Loadsby appeal, GMP Oldham asked anyone with information to call 0161 856 8982 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. For the Murray appeal, officers gave the number 0161 856 4228, with the same Crimestoppers option for anonymous reporting.

As reported by The Oldham Times, the force stressed that people can “anonymously contact independent charity Crimestoppers to report anything they may have seen,” underlining that anonymity is available for those who prefer not to speak directly to police. The Oldham Reporter likewise noted that members of the public can contact Crimestoppers anonymously, reinforcing the message across outlets.

What do ‘recall to prison’ appeals mean?

A recall to prison typically occurs when an individual previously released on licence or under supervised conditions is required to return to custody, often due to alleged breaches of licence conditions or new safeguarding concerns. In such cases, police may issue public appeals if the person cannot be located through routine checks, asking communities to help with whereabouts information.

In both Oldham cases, the notices stop short of detailing the specific reasons for recall, focusing instead on the request for location information and the areas where each man is believed to have connections.

What have police and local media said?

GMP Oldham’s own wording, carried by The Oldham Times, framed the Loadsby notice as a direct call for help: “Can you help us locate Dylan Loasby (18/03/2001), who is wanted on recall to prison?” The post specified Oldham and Rochdale as key areas of interest and provided the dedicated telephone line for tips.

For Murray, the Oldham Reporter’s Usma Raja summarised the force’s position, writing that “police are appealing for the public’s help in locating a man who is wanted on recall to prison,” and listing Murray’s links to Oldham, Gorton and Blackpool. The Oldham Times added that police are “appealing to members of the public to help them trace Murray,” and provided the contact details for both police and Crimestoppers.

Background to the development

Recall-to-prison notices form part of routine enforcement activity by police forces working with the Prison and Probation Service, particularly when released individuals cannot be traced at their last known addresses. In Greater Manchester, such appeals are frequently circulated via social media and local news partners to widen reach, especially where individuals have known links to multiple towns and boroughs. The twin appeals in Oldham this week reflect that approach, with GMP using both its own channels and local titles to maximise visibility across Oldham, Rochdale, Gorton and Blackpool.

Prediction: how could this affect Oldham residents and local audiences?

If the appeals lead to arrests, Oldham residents may see increased police activity in areas connected to Loadsby and Murray, including Oldham town centre, Rochdale, Gorton and Blackpool, as officers move to locate and detain the individuals. For local audiences, the immediate effect is likely to be heightened awareness of police requests for information and a reminder that anonymous reporting via Crimestoppers remains an option. Over time, successful recalls could reinforce community cooperation with GMP on enforcement matters, while also prompting further coverage of licence compliance and public-safety messaging in local media.