Criminals recruiting children to damage suspected migrant HMOs, Greater Manchester police say

Dozens of properties targeted in Salford, Stockport and Tameside since 5 October

By LineZotpaper

Published23 October 2026

Updated23 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources2 outlets

Police in Greater Manchester believe criminals are recruiting vulnerable people, including children, to carry out a campaign of damage against houses suspected of being houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) that are believed to house immigrants or refugees.

Police in Greater Manchester have received at least 46 separate reports of criminal damage targeting houses suspected of being HMOs, as well as some properties mistaken for HMOs. The attacks, concentrated in Salford but also occurring in Stockport and Tameside, began on 5 October. Windows have been smashed and walls and doors sprayed with graffiti reading "fuck off" and "no HMO". Cars have also been damaged.

Chief Superintendent Marcus Noden said: "We suspect vulnerable people are being exploited and paid to damage buildings they believe are HMOs. Some of those being exploited are believed to be children." He added: "This recent spate of damage is not being tolerated."

A 42-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage at an address in Salford overnight and remains in custody. Earlier this week, a 46-year-old man and a 39-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit criminal damage, followed by a 33-year-old man on Wednesday. Previous arrests include a 13-year-old boy.

Police say social media is fuelling the attacks, with online platforms used to "push the message out across different areas". Posts showing images of damaged houses have attracted hundreds of comments, many praising the attacks and predicting further violence, though some have criticised the campaign. Domestic abuse survivors who had recently been housed in HMOs were among those critical.

Salford council removed roadside banners that read "IRLAM AND CADISHEAD SAY NO TO MIGRANT HMOs". In a statement, the council said it had "serious concerns that the impact of the banners is highly likely to spread misinformation, escalate cohesion issues in communities and the potential for inciteful behaviour".

Analysis

Why This Matters

The exploitation of children in criminal damage campaigns raises safeguarding concerns and points to organised criminal networks.
The targeting of HMOs believed to house immigrants threatens community cohesion and public safety.
The scale of damage and social media amplification could encourage copycat attacks or further polarisation.

Background

Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) are shared houses often used to house vulnerable groups, including migrants and refugees, in cities with high housing demand. Tensions around migration and housing have risen in parts of the UK in recent years, occasionally spilling into street-level intimidation and vandalism. Greater Manchester has seen several small but concerted campaigns against such properties.

Key Perspectives

Greater Manchester Police: Believe organised criminals are exploiting vulnerable people and children to carry out the attacks, and are making arrests to disrupt the campaign. Salford council: Concerned the banners spread misinformation and risk inciteful behaviour, reflecting a message of community cohesion being undermined. Domestic abuse survivors and critics: Some residents housed in HMOs have spoken out against the damage, expressing fear and anger that their homes were attacked.

What to Watch

Further arrests and charges, particularly of those suspected of orchestrating the attacks.
Whether the council introduces additional measures to counter misinformation.
The response of social media platforms to reports of content inciting violence.

Sources

Criminals recruiting children to damage Greater Manchester HMOs, police believe · UK news | The Guardian
Criminals recruiting children to damage Greater Manchester HMOs, police believe · World news | The Guardian

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedPolice believe criminals are recruiting children to damage suspected migrant HMOs.World news | The Guardian: “Criminals are recruiting vulnerable people, including children, to damage houses suspected of being HMOs, police in Manchester believe.”
SupportedPolice in Greater Manchester believe criminals are recruiting vulnerable people, including children, to damage suspected HMOs believed to house immigrants or refugees.World news | The Guardian: “Houses are being targeted because they are believed to hold immigrants or refugees.”
SupportedDozens of properties have been targeted in Salford, Stockport and Tameside since 5 October.World news | The Guardian: “In recent weeks, dozens of properties have been targeted across Greater Manchester, mostly in Salford, but also in Stockport and Tameside.”
SupportedPolice have received at least 46 separate reports of criminal damage targeting suspected HMOs and properties mistaken for HMOs.World news | The Guardian: “The houses that have been attacked are either HMOs (houses in multiple occupation), or properties that have been mistaken for HMOs. Police have received at least 46 separate reports of criminal damage”
SupportedWindows and doors have been damaged with graffiti reading “fuck off” and “no HMO”; cars have also been targeted.World news | The Guardian: “Windows have been smashed, and walls and doors have been sprayed with graffiti reading “fuck off” and “no HMO”. Houses are being targeted because they are believed to hold immigrants or refugees. Police have received at least 46 separate reports of criminal damage, with cars also targeted alongside houses.”
SupportedChief Superintendent Marcus Noden said: “We suspect vulnerable people are being exploited and paid to damage buildings they believe are HMOs. Some of those being exploited are believed to be children.”World news | The Guardian: “Ch Supt Marcus Noden said: “We suspect vulnerable people are being exploited and paid to damage buildings they believe are HMOs. Some of those being exploited are believed to be children.””
SupportedNoden added: “This recent spate of damage is not being tolerated.”World news | The Guardian: ““This recent spate of damage is not being tolerated,” he added.”
SupportedA 42-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage at a Salford address overnight and remains in custody.World news | The Guardian: ““A 42-year-old man has today been arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage at an address in Salford overnight. He remains in our custody for questioning.””
SupportedA 46-year-old man and a 39-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit criminal damage on Monday, and a 33-year-old man was arrested on the same suspicion on Wednesday.World news | The Guardian: “On Monday, a 46-year-old man and a 39-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit criminal damage, and on Wednesday a 33-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit criminal damage.”
SupportedPrevious arrests include a 13-year-old boy.World news | The Guardian: “Police have also made previous arrests in relation to the spate of criminal damage, including a 13-year-old boy.”
SupportedPolice say social media is fuelling the attacks, with platforms used to “push the message out across different areas”.World news | The Guardian: “Police have also said that social media is fuelling the attacks, which began on 5 October, with online platforms being used to “push the message out across different areas”.”
SupportedPosts showing images of damaged houses drew hundreds of comments, many praising the attacks and predicting further violence; some critics included domestic abuse survivors recently housed in HMOs.World news | The Guardian: “Posts with pictures of the damaged houses have attracted hundreds of comments, many of them praising the attacks and predicting further violence. However, some have also been critical of the criminal campaign of damage, including domestic abuse survivors who had recently been housed in HMOs.”