Homes mistaken for migrant housing attacked in Manchester: criminals are exploiting children, police say

A series of attacks has targeted homes across Greater Manchester that are suspected of housing immigrants or refugees, and police believe criminals are exploiting vulnerable people, including children, to carry out the damage. In recent weeks, dozens of properties have been targeted across the area.

According to police, most of the attacked homes are in Salford, but incidents have also occurred in Stockport and Tameside. The houses are either HMOs — houses in multiple occupation — or properties mistaken for HMOs. Police have received at least 46 separate reports of criminal damage, with cars targeted alongside houses.

Windows have been smashed, and walls and doors sprayed with graffiti. Police say the houses are being targeted because they are believed to hold immigrants or refugees.

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.'

'This recent spate of damage is not being tolerated,' he added. A 42-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage at an address in Salford overnight and remains in custody for questioning, he said.

Noden had previously said officers were taking the spate of damage extremely seriously and were relentlessly targeting offenders, including those believed to be using and exploiting children to orchestrate the criminality.

Salford council has also taken down roadside banners opposing migrant HMOs. In a statement, the council said it had serious concerns that the banners were highly likely to spread misinformation, escalate cohesion issues in communities and create the potential for inciteful behaviour.

Police have also said social media is fuelling the attacks, which began on 5 October, with online platforms being used to push the message out across different areas.

Posts with pictures of the damaged houses have attracted hundreds of comments, many praising the attacks and predicting further violence.

However, some have also criticised the criminal campaign of damage, including domestic abuse survivors who had recently been housed in HMOs.

Four people have been arrested this week in connection with the attacks. 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 arrested on the same suspicion.

Police have also made previous arrests in connection with the spate of damage, including a 13-year-old boy — underlining how children are being drawn into the offending.

Police say investigations are continuing, and action is being pursued not only against those causing damage directly but also against those behind the scenes who are exploiting children and vulnerable people.